Gospel Reflection for August 24 2014
We all want to know what actually happened in Ferguson, Missouri, on that tragic night when Michael Brown was shot by a policeman.
We naturally hoped there were videos of the whole event. That would solve everything. After all, we see videos of events all the time. It seems that there are YouTube videos of just about everything that ever happens! Apparently, there are none of this event.
Fortunately, there were a number of people nearby. However, their eyewitness accounts have not helped because they are, predictably, all over the place with widely varying descriptions of the actions of both the officer and Michael Brown. People see things differently under stress, and a shooting is a very stressful event!
In the Gospel for this Sunday, August 24th, 2014, Jesus asks for eyewitness testimony about Himself. The same thing happens. The Disciples give widely varying descriptions about who He is.
Perhaps in frustration at this, He looks directly at Peter, the one to whom He planned on making the leader of the early Church, and asks him the same question. “Who am I to you?”
Amazingly, Peter acknowledges that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Jesus readily acknowledges and accepts his answer, and also reveals that Peter could not have known that truth without some direct inspiration from God.
It would be great if we had that same direct inspiration from God about the truth of things in Ferguson. Well, we do not right now…and probably never will. Can we have justice both for Michael Brown and the police officer? We will have to use our own good judgment, reason, and patience to determine justice for both.
In the absence of God’s direct revelation to us about Ferguson, it makes sense that patience, wisdom, and good judgment should guide our consideration of this volatile issue.
Unfortunately, many people want to steer the events to advance one cause or another, e.g. police brutality, rampant crime, public order, or racism. Unlike Peter, we are not beneficiaries of direct communication from God on the truth of this situation. Actual evidence of what happened in Ferguson is coming out slowly, one small tidbit at a time.
However, our intense desire for the truth coupled with the speed of internet communication today means that every little tidbit of news is instantly broadcast around the world without any context or perspective. Therefore the actual truth gets distorted and misunderstood, and easily manipulated by people with these special agendas. When the actual truth of things is finally determined later on it is often too late, as false understandings and impressions have already been well established. This is what Jesus experienced in this Gospel. No wonder He was frustrated!
Let us not repeat the example of the Disciples who got everything wrong, but rather the example of Peter who got everything right. Let us patiently hear the voice of God that calls us to patience and wisdom. Let us not fail to hear the voice of God.
The question the Gospel asks each of us is “Who is Jesus to you?”
God Bless!
Fr Dave
Fr. Dave
I agree with your statement that the actual truth gets distorted, misunderstood and easily manipulated by people with hidden agendas. I think this is predominant in today’s society. It is apparent in the media and in our own personal lives. I think it is very important to evaluate all sides of a situation before coming to a conclusion.
I miss your homilies. How much progress have you made on your books? Are you having a relaxing summer?
Cathy Culley
So true. There could be two people witnessing the same event and both coming up with a different scenario. We can just pray for the truth to come out in the court’s decision. It’s devastating for all involved.
Thank you Fr. Dave for sharing your weekly gospel reflections with us.
Anne Marie