![]() |
Jesus in the Synagogue Greg Olson |
Scripture
tells us that Jesus was teaching in the synagogue and the Pharisees
were watching him closely, waiting for him to heal the man they saw
there. When He did – as they knew He would - “they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”
Note
they weren't dismayed at seeing work done on the Sabbath because they
loved the law. They weren't concerned for Jesus because He
transgressed that law. Likewise they weren't amazed at the miracle
performed before their very eyes, nor did they rejoice for the man
restored to health. They were 'enraged'.
Can't
you just picture them huddled together, whispering and murmuring to
each other like Grima Wormtongue in the ear of King Theoden, inciting
greater animosity, deeper anger, more vicious hatred?
The
Pharisees were more concerned with the letter of the law than with
the love behind the law. They believed they had found the one true
way to perfection, and anyone who trod a different path was not only
wrong, but destined for perdition. They were smug with pride in their
knowledge of Jewish law and teaching. They were eager to tear down
anyone who erred. I picture them like carrion buzzards, dark and
menacing, ugly and cruel, circling around a weakened prey, waiting
for death so they can pounce. Spiritually speaking, I think that is
exactly what is happening when lovers of the law, triumphant in their
position of 'right', bypass charity and mercy in order to vindicate
their own position.
I come
across Pharisee-like Catholics often enough to concern me. I look
around me at the world and see all that we must contend with:
materialism, secularism, consumerism, relativism, depravity, lack of
common sense, attacks on the family from schools and governments, and
so on. Why, with all of that confronting us, are we attacking each
other from within?
Our
one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church is a mighty big Church. She
has room for women who wear chapel veils and for women who wear
trousers. She allows for the vernacular as well as Latin. We have
saintly examples of a wide variety of spiritualities and charisms and
each of them make use of our individual gifts and personalities in
order to bring glory to God.
God.
He is the heart of everything, isn't He? And He is love. Why do we
so often forget love when we deal with each other? Have you read the
comment boxes of a Catholic blog or newspaper article lately? For
that matter, have you read some of the Catholic blogs or newspapers
out there lately? I see circling vultures, not charitable Catholics
eager to lovingly correct where there is error. I see school yard
behaviour in the name calling and labeling (Mad Trads, Vorisites,
AmChurch – just in what I read today, and these were from
widely-read Catholic writers.) I see pride in people who believe
'their' brand of Catholic is the only 'right' way to be Catholic and
everyone else better prepare their handbasket for their trip to
you-know-where.
In his
homily on Sunday, Father reminded us in his congregation of this
important rule: love the sinner; hate the sin. We may be speaking
about a president we dislike, a priest we despair of, a person
responsible for atrocity, but we must remember we are speaking about
a human being. Be polite. Be charitable. Be kind!
It is
an injunction given to married couples all the time: love is a
decision. Choose to love your spouse even when you don't feel loving
toward him. He's driving you up the wall? Love him. She's working
your last nerve? Love her. The same applies to every person you meet
throughout your day. The old timer is driving at a glacial pace?
Respond with love. That coworker spent the entire morning on the
phone planning a fabulous Hawaiian vacation? Clearly this is an issue
that needs to be addressed, but do so with love (for love does not
mean to overlook faults).
With
such divisiveness within our Church, such animosity between Catholic
factions, how can we respond to Pope Francis' call for us to bring
Christ to the world? How can we share God's love with anyone, when we
do not love each other? How can we face the world and say we are the
One True Church founded by Christ?
I
believe we can correct this behaviour. I believe the time is now,
with the Holy Father showing us the way with his simple humility, his
gentleness, and charity. And above all, we have the example of our
Heavenly Father in scripture:
Slow
to anger and rich in love,
The
Lord is good to all
And
compassionate to all His works.”
(Psalm
145: 8,9)
BEAUTIFUL! I, too, have been shocked at the lack of love both in many catholic circles and in my own love (re:slow driver). Wonderful reminder what should be at the centre of our faith: LOVE!
ReplyDelete*LIFE (not "in my own love.")
DeleteAMEN!
ReplyDelete