Gospel Reflections for March 22 2015
After decades of oppressive Roman rule and heavy taxation, the Jews are desperately looking for someone who will set them free.
Christians in Iraq and Syria today also hope for that same kind of person who will free them from ISIS and other oppressive radical Islamist groups. People who are very sick look as well for that doctor that will bring them renewed health.
It is a familiar tale. When weighed down by oppression, violence, or sickness we look for someone who will make it all better.
Jesus in today’s Gospel sees that same desperation in the eyes of Phillip and even local pagans who are looking for someone who will make a difference. Jesus deeply feels their pain. He came precisely to show us the way through suffering to victory.
Earlier in this Gospel (John 1:39) Phillip’s brother, Andrew, met Jesus and asked if He was the Messiah. Jesus simply replied “Come and see.” What a great response!
Jesus is willing to have His life closely observed by anyone …so that everyone can freely choose for themselves if His life is authentic and worthy to follow. Jesus shows remarkable confidence in the goodness of His mission. He also reveals the kind of people He wants as followers.
Jesus only wants followers who have made a free, rational, and informed choice to do so. Jesus will NOT use violent Roman tactics to enforce compliance but rather the spirit of love that enables people to be free.
That freedom is happening right now in RCIA classes around the country as wonderful people prepare to receive the sacraments at Easter. We look forward to their joining us at Mass for years to come. However, that freedom is NOT happening in the Middle East today in areas controlled by ISIS and other Islamic Radicals. In those areas, if you disagree in just the slightest verse of the Quran you are put to death. There is no freedom there.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the entire Roman Empire converted to Christianity in just a few centuries after Jesus. That is remarkable since the early Christians had no army at all! It happened simply by Christians offering the same invitation as Jesus did. If you would like to see if the way of Jesus provides for your lasting happiness …come and see for yourself!
In these final days of Lent, let us live our lives in the same way, that others will see the truth of Jesus and His love in our own behavior.
God Bless,
Fr. Dave
Image: Public domain work of art.
You are SO good. We are so fortunate to have you leading and teaching us the Way of the Lord. I’m so glad the University is spreading to other areas as well. You’ve started a wonderful tradition. May it spread like wild flower! Thank you again, Father Dave!
Love,
Jeanie
Thank you!
Thanks, Father Dave. I picked out this line from the Gospel:
“But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.”
There is such wisdom packed into that statement. When I am feeling really down, with bad news or illness, this wisdom comforts me (if I can remember it). God works all things for the good. So we grit our teeth and push ahead; as Father Joe said “siempre adalante”.
Well said! Jesus did not necessarily like His path, but He would not turn away from it. Always forward!
“To whom shall we go?” the disciples asked Jesus. “You have the words of everlasting life.” No one would say such a thing to ISIS, bent as they are on death and destruction. It’s difficult to see why some souls find ISIS attractive. We need to pray more for them.
At least, the vast majority of Muslim youth do not find ISIS attractive, but still a large number do. I am convinced it will have to be the Muslim people themselves who put this movement down.
I totally agree that we must pray for ISIS. It’s been one of my prayer intentions for some time. These people are in dire need of seeking (and of course then receiving) God’s rich and infinite Mercy.
Well Said!
Fr. Dave,
While reflecting on your writing, I find astounding the tremendous tangiable advancements made in the past two thousand years since Jesus’ presence, yet so little change in the condition of man’s heart and his search for meaning, truth, love and peace. The Lord of course knew this and thus His promise to return again. It all makes sense; lets only hope it’s sooner than later in view of today’s global nuclear weaponry and its potential catastrophic consequences in the hands of ISIS or similar deranged group.
Thanks again for your sage insights and the opportunity to refect on them.
Dio vi Benedica
Good insights, Joe. I think they are right on in terms of what part of our culture has advanced and what still needs Our Lord’s help. While I tend to think that there are many more people who are loving and compassionate today than in the time of Jesus, a real problem we have now is only a few bad people can do enormous damage because of the lethality of modern weapons, such as those used by ISIS. I hope the world gets its act together about terrorism soon!
I have a question about the part that said everyone that loves their life will lose it and everyone that hates their life will preserve it for eternal life. Can you explain this part ?
Thank You
Yes, you bring up a great question. The words “Love your life” and “hate your life” come across a little too extreme in English. Remember that the Gospel was originally written in Greek. The teaching of the verses that reference “loving our life” actually means ONLY loving our own life, or in other words, living very selfishly. The “hate our life “verse” teaching is that we do NOT excessively focus only on ourselves, but always include others in our circle of care and concern.
Hope that helps!
Let’s pray that everyone gets around to that “free, rational and informed choice” before it’s too late!
Once again you’ve made my day….thanks!
Larry,
You are very welcome, Larry. I am glad you enjoy my articles. I certainly enjoy writing them!
Fr. Joe Scerbo’s life was a true example of Christ in action. He was a true testimony of Catholicism. I found a wonderful quote from him: “Lord, open the doors you want to open, close the doors you don’t want to open, and place me in the center of your perfect will”.
Fr. Dave, thank you for bringing him to St Paschal Baylon.
You are welcome!