Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings for Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent
First Published: Saturday, April 08, 2006
On the Eve
Reflection:
Even as Ezekiel proclaiming Gods love for his people those 500 years before Christ walked the earth as man, we hear events unfold in the Gospel that lead us down the inevitable path we walk during Holy Week. The Gospel from John leads us right up the Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Tomorrow!).
Even as his popularity and recognition grow among the common people of the region, the Jewish leadership plot against him. As a people who have heard this story time and again, all we can do is wait and listen in awe and wonder as the Savior of the World leads us on an emotional roller coaster.
We hope youre ready cause hear it comes. Weve watched as the plot thickens in Johns Gospel. In the past week we have seen Jesus almost stoned, twice, by the Jews at the temple. Now we hear him ready himself to beard the lion in his den as he enters Jerusalem like a Royal Messiah the one the Jews were lead to expect as they were persecuted by the Romans. But what is this? He comes on a colt and not at the head of some great army. He comes in humility not in arrogance.
What can we take away from this example? Jesus has power but does not use it. He could, with the wave of his hand, destroy the people who oppose him. But what would these things have said to us? It would be the status quo. From the beginning of history, those with power have used it to impose their will on others. Since man has been on this earth, when a person has been able to avoid negative consequences for himself by fleeing or destroying his enemies, he has. What would Jesus have changed if he had acted the same?
Instead we are given an example of love, of humility, of genuine compassion. This is our Savior, this is the lesson we must take to heart. The next time we can save ourselves by imposing our will on others let us ask if it the right thing to do. Not just for ourselves but in Gods eyes. The next time we can strike preemptively to save ourselves, let us ask what the Lord of Love would do. It is the Easter message we hear. Pax
Readings for Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent
First Published: Saturday, April 08, 2006
On the Eve
Reflection:
Even as Ezekiel proclaiming Gods love for his people those 500 years before Christ walked the earth as man, we hear events unfold in the Gospel that lead us down the inevitable path we walk during Holy Week. The Gospel from John leads us right up the Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Tomorrow!).
Even as his popularity and recognition grow among the common people of the region, the Jewish leadership plot against him. As a people who have heard this story time and again, all we can do is wait and listen in awe and wonder as the Savior of the World leads us on an emotional roller coaster.
We hope youre ready cause hear it comes. Weve watched as the plot thickens in Johns Gospel. In the past week we have seen Jesus almost stoned, twice, by the Jews at the temple. Now we hear him ready himself to beard the lion in his den as he enters Jerusalem like a Royal Messiah the one the Jews were lead to expect as they were persecuted by the Romans. But what is this? He comes on a colt and not at the head of some great army. He comes in humility not in arrogance.
What can we take away from this example? Jesus has power but does not use it. He could, with the wave of his hand, destroy the people who oppose him. But what would these things have said to us? It would be the status quo. From the beginning of history, those with power have used it to impose their will on others. Since man has been on this earth, when a person has been able to avoid negative consequences for himself by fleeing or destroying his enemies, he has. What would Jesus have changed if he had acted the same?
Instead we are given an example of love, of humility, of genuine compassion. This is our Savior, this is the lesson we must take to heart. The next time we can save ourselves by imposing our will on others let us ask if it the right thing to do. Not just for ourselves but in Gods eyes. The next time we can strike preemptively to save ourselves, let us ask what the Lord of Love would do. It is the Easter message we hear. Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 4:29 AM
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