LORD OF THE SABBATH

Mark 2:23-28: Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.  The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?  In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.  So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

 

In this reading, Jesus has to contend with the Pharisees, who are distorting Moses’ Law, by highlighting the letter of the law while ignoring the actual spirit of the Law. The Pharisees accuse Jesus’ disciples of violating the Sabbath (cf. Mk 2:24). According to their overwhelming legalism, to pick the heads of grain meant “to reap”, while crushing them in their hands signified “to thresh.” These agricultural tasks —and some forty others— were forbidden on the Sabbath as a day of rest. The breads of offering the Gospel speaks of, were twelve breads that were placed every week in the sanctuary table, as a tribute from the twelve tribes of Israel to their God and Lord.

Abiathar’s attitudeis the same one Jesus is teaching us today: the less important precepts of the Law have to give way before the most important ones; a ceremonial precept has to give way to a precept of the natural law; the precept of resting on the Sabbath should not, therefore, prevail over the basic needs of subsistence. The II Vatican Council, was inspired by the previous example, and to underline that people have to prevail over economic and social questions, says: «Social order and its progressive development have to subordinate always to persons’ welfare, because things are made for man and not the other way round. The Lord pointed it out already when He said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (cf. Mk 2:27)».

Saint Augustine also says: «Love and do as you please». Have you understood it well or are you still under the obsession that secondary things overrule the love we have to place on whatever we do? To work, forgive, correct, attend Mass on Sundays, take care of sick people, abide by the commandments, is certainly very important. But do we do it because we have to or because of our love for God? I hope that we can stand apart from the Pharisees that so challenged Jesus by, instead, being motivated out of love for God, not just duty.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW PREVAILS

Frequently and throughout the Gospel stories, Jesus has to contend with the Pharisees, who are distorting Moses’ Law, by highlighting the letter of the law while ignoring the actual spirit of the Law. The Pharisees accuse Jesus’ disciples of violating the Sabbath (cf. Mk 2:24). According to their overwhelming sophistry, to pick the heads of grain means “to reap”, while crushing them in their hands signifies “to thresh”: these agricultural tasks —and some forty other— were forbidden on the Sabbath, as a day of rest. Incidentally, the breads of offering the Gospel speaks of, were twelve breads that were placed every week in the sanctuary table, as a tribute from the twelve tribes of Israel to their God and Lord.

In 1 Sam 16:1-13, Abiathar’s attitude is the same one Jesus is teaching us today: the less important precepts of the Law have to give way before the most important ones; a ceremonial precept has to give way to a precept of the natural law; the precept of resting on the Sabbath should not, therefore, prevail over the basic needs of subsistence. The Second Vatican Council, was inspired by the previous example, and to underline that people have to prevail over economic and social questions, says: «Social order and its progressive development have to subordinate always to persons’ welfare, because things are made for man and not the other way round. The Lord pointed it out already when He said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (cf. Mk 2:27)».

Saint Augustine also says: «Love and do as you please». Have you understood it well or are you still under the obsession secondary things overrule the love we have to place on whatever we do? To work, forgive, correct, attend Mass on Sundays, take care of sick people, abide by the commandments…, do we do it because we have to or because of our love for God? If only these considerations may help us to revitalize all our deeds with the love our Lord has instilled in our hearts, precisely so that we can also love him.

 

HOW COULD THEY? HOW CAN WE?

According to the Casper, Wyoming, Star-Tribune, Charles Taylor was brought into the courtroom of Judge James Fleetwood. Taylor was accused of robbing a shoe store at knifepoint, taking a pair of tan hiking boots and $69. During the trial, Taylor propped his feet up on the defense table. The judge looked over and did a double take. Taylor was wearing a pair of tan hiking boots. Surely, nobody would be so stupid as to wear the boots he stole to his trial, the judge thought.

Nevertheless, as the jury deliberated, the judge had an FBI agent call the shoe store. He learned that the stolen boots were size 10 ½ from Lot 1046. They checked the boots that Taylor wore to trial and found that they, too, were size 10 ½ and from Lot 1046.

The jury found Taylor guilty, and the judge sent him back to jail in his stocking feet.

As a Judicial Clerk, I had my own opportunities to shake my head in wonder at the antics of some criminal defendants. I reviewed one case on appeal in which the defendants had ransacked an elderly couple’s home. They piled the TVs, stereos, jewelry and other items of value at the back door. Apparently, they had worked up an appetite. The men were arrested because the elderly couple called 911 when they looked in their kitchen window and saw the robbers happily gulping down a pancake breakfast at their kitchen table.

Some transgressors are apparently either very stupid or very brazen about their crimes.

It would seem that the 12 Apostles had the same IQ as the criminals we have mentioned above. I can’t even begin to imagine the frustration of Jesus.

I think, from this reading of Mk 9:30-37, that Jesus was in great need of comfort. He took the apostles and separated from the needy crowds: the crowds that needed His touch, His healing, His teaching, His constant presence and ministry. He separated because He wanted to forewarn the apostles—His closest and most intimate friends– about the horrendous events that were soon to enfold: events that would bring Him more pain and shame than we as human beings will ever be able to fully comprehend.

Instead of comforting their precious Lord and assuring Jesus of their undying devotion and love, they decided that now was the perfect time to find out who was the greatest in God’s Kingdom. Who would sit at God’s right hand and usher in the political kingdom that they still expected Jesus to bring?

Now, I have the utmost respect for the Apostles who followed Jesus and ultimately did help to usher in His kingdom. But, really, with respect to this reading….how dumb and uncaring can you get!?!?!?

How could someone who has been so close to Jesus; living with Him, eating with Him, following Him on a daily basis, so miss the point? How could a person who claims to love this awesome Lord, who has given only of Himself and will continue to give of Himself even to death, not want to wrap Him in their arms and assure Him of their undying love? How could anyone who knew Jesus think of any of their own personal interests at a time so intimate, so filled with angst and despair? How could this be?

How could Jesus’ closest followers be so darn stupid and callous?

How can we?

Don’t we do the exact same thing every single time we sin? We, like the apostles, know of Jesus’ awesome and all encompassing love. We receive Jesus –often everyday in the Eucharist. We ask Jesus into our hearts and promise that we will strive harder to serve him over the course of the day. We leave the Church with the best of intentions; filled with love, gratitude and God’s blessing.

Then we stop at Wegmans and the person in front of us apparently can’t count to 10. She glibly places 12 items on the belt in the express lane. Then has the audacity to add a couple packs of chewing gum and breath mints. We have to get home to get the coffee pot a boiling or the bills apaid ….and here she is taking up our precious time—so much more important than her’s must be.

We miss our street and, in frustration, cut in front of another car so that we can turn around in the nearest driveway. Yes, that other driver has the technical right of way, but our needs to get to the bank are certainly so much more urgent than whatever that driver might need to do. We have the right to take some kind of emergency action.

I, for one, am ever thankful that these “dumb and uncaring” apostles were wise enough to include this self-deprecating story in the Gospels. They were willing to let us in on their weaknesses, because that is not the highlight of the story—only a necessary pathway to discerning the real truth; the real beauty and message of this Gospel.

It is not our stupidity or ignorance that matters to God. Indeed, God would prefer that we act like little children. For little children, the “smart factor” of your daily decisions is not what is truly important. Instead, the child is focused on the love of the parent. The child recognizes the need for and the authority of the parent. The child’s place in the family is not questioned. It is simply accepted.

Jesus shows us God’s mercy. He does not cry out in frustration at the apostles’ failure to provide the love and compassion that Jesus Himself so needs. He recognizes the child-likeness that is the true underlying character of the apostles and us. He does not condemn the apostles—or us—for their or our own stupidity, but, instead, offers continued reconciliation, love and mercy. This gift is and remains ours whenever we, too, like the apostles remember that we too are fumbling, bumbling children of God in need of constant reminders of the love, mercy and authority of God and God alone.

HOW GENEROUS IS GOD?

There are many readings taken from the Gospel that are intended to give us great comfort.

• The wedding at Cana and the provision of wine for the newlyweds;
• Jesus’ promise that all of our needs will be met and His warning us not to worry—
  • He tells us to consider the lilies of the field; and
  • He Opens His arms to comfort us whenever we are heavily burdened and need rest; and
• And Mark 6:34-44–the provision of the crowd’s and our daily need for bread and the necessities of life.

These stories and promises certainly bring peace and joy to our hearts and rest to our souls. We know that the promises are true and we rely on the Word of our Lord. How is it though, that this is so much easier when things are going well?

          It is easy to rest on the truth of these promises when:

• Your spouse has not lost his job, but instead has been promised a sizeable raise;
• The stock market is bullish with only good fortune in the forecast;
• Your son or daughter has not enlisted in the marines while a war is raging in the Middle East;
• Your child has successfully completed his or her high school and is accepted and actually looking forward to the start of college at the school of first choice.

Is it really as easy to rest on these truths when:

•  More and more people are worried about being employed next week?
• The stock market is wiping out your retirement income and there is no time to make up the difference?
• Your son has just grown out of all the clothes you purchased two days ago and the only money left is needed to purchase food for next week?

Perhaps not. But it is really for these times that Jesus spoke these truths.

 Jesus has. Jesus does. And Jesus will always meet our needs. Sometimes these needs are indeed met through miracles. I can tell story after story of how people have had needs that were miraculously met by some surprise check that showed up in the mail or an unanticipated invitation to a dinner just when the cupboards were bare. But, more often than not, Jesus relies on the work of those around us to meet the needs of the suffering—in the same way that Jesus relied upon the actions and service of his twelve apostles in today’s readings. The work is certainly that of God. The encouragement is provided by Jesus. But the actual doing of the good is by real life people just like the apostles…..just like us.

 This is certainly true with respect to the necessities of our daily lives. But it is even more true with respect to the spiritual needs of our souls. Nothing can satisfy the deepest longing and desire of the heart, except God alone.  Do you believe that is true? Of course you do.

Of all the miracles Jesus did, this is the only one which is repeated in all four gospels. It is so significant that I think it is worth reviewing the reading for just a minute or two. A great multitude had gathered to hear Jesus, no doubt because they were hungry for the word of life.  Jesus’ disciples wanted to send them away at the end of the day because they did not have the resources to feed them. They even complained how much money it would take to feed such a crowd – at least six month’s wages! Jesus took the little they had – five loaves and two fish – and giving thanks to his heavenly Father, distributed it to all until they were satisfied of their hunger. They took up what was left over, twelve baskets full so that nothing would be wasted.

What is the significance of this miracle? The miraculous feeding of such a great multitude pointed to God’s provision of manna in the wilderness for the people of Israel under Moses’ leadership. This food foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers. The sign of the multiplication of the loaves when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes through his disciples prefigures the superabundance of the unique bread of his Eucharist or Lord’s Supper. Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of God and his great kindness towards us. In the multiplication of the loaves and fishes we see a sign and a symbol of what God always does. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may have something to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the good of others.

“Lord Jesus Christ, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and you feed us with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). Fill us with gratitude for your blessings and give us generous hearts so that we may freely share with others what you have given to us.”

A DATE WITH DESTINY

Alexander Blake’s book The Nureyev Image describes how totally committed Rudolf Nureyev was to dancing. According to Nureyev himself, ballet became his whole life, his only “avenue of fulfillment.”

 Blake writes the following about Nureyev’s dedication to his art: For its sake he has fought and sweated, suffered, quarreled, insulted and borne insults, schemed, dreamed and made bitter sacrifices. It takes priority in his life over everything and everybody; his loyalty to it is unquestioning. It is both the means of his living and the end.

The way Nureyev loved to dance and dedicated his whole life to it gives us an inkling of what Jesus meant when He said we should love God: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

This text from Deuteronomy, which is quoted by our Lord, is called the shema, the Hebrew imperative meaning “hear,” or “Pay attention.” The shema constitutes the basic creed of Judaism. It is recited every day by pious Jews and it is their last utterance when they die.

By quoting the shema, Jesus declares that it is also the foundation of his own faith and devotion. But then Jesus goes beyond the shema. He combines it with Leviticus 19:18 – the verse about loving one’s neighbor as oneself.

Both commandments were basic to Judaism. Was their combination into a single moral principle original with Jesus? ….I don’t know. The answer is not really all that important. What is important is that Jesus incorporated the two commandments into his own life and taught his disciples to do the same. For Jesus there can be no true love of God unless it expresses itself in love of neighbor.

But these texts (Lev 19:19; Mk 12: 28-34) tell us not only that we should love both God and neighbor. They also tell us how. We must love God with our whole being—heart, mind, soul and strength. We must love our neighbor as ourselves.

Rudolf Nureyev loved dancing with his whole being. He would rise in the morning with ballet dancing on his mind. He would retire at night the same way. He would spend six or seven hours a day practicing his routines, because he loved what he was doing. For Nureyev, dancing was not a duty. It was his destiny.

The same is true of people who love what they are doing with their whole being. Master artists, dedicated scientists, great actors and actresses, outstanding statesmen and stateswomen – all love their careers with their whole heart, their whole soul, and with all their strength.

Should we do any less in our love for God? Should we love God less when He is the source of all our talents and resources? Should we be less excited about the Creator of the order and the beauty of the universe?

Is our love of God a duty? Or is it our destiny?

If we love God with our whole being, then we will worship him even while we work; pray to him whenever we have an opportunity; read his word as well as the newspaper; listen to his voice just as much as we listen to our radios or television sets.

From loving God with our whole being will follow loving our neighbor as ourselves. We will look on their needs, feel their hurts and identify with their dreams as if they were our own.

By reaching out to love our neighbor as ourselves, we will find that the kingdom of God is very near and experience what someone once wrote:

I went to the mountains to seek wisdom, but did not find it.

I went to the sea to seek peace, but did not find it.

I went to the temple to seek God, but did not find him.

I went to serve my neighbor, and I found all three.

(author unknown)

 

DO YOU GET IT NOW?

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.  “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”  They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?  Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?  When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.”  He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” (Mk 8: 14-21).

 

This Gospel reading is, at least in my opinion, one of the greatest proof’s of Jesus’ humanity. It is so easy to recognize the divinity of our Lord. That is because we have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight. We can see the whole picture. We can walk with Jesus on His journey and through the course of His ministry. While the apostles must have shaken their heads in wonder and confusion, we can consider some of the things that Jesus has done—-things that must have confounded his disciples and closest followers—-and have the benefit of knowing why He did just that and even the purpose for His having acted in that particular way.

In this Gospel, I can just imagine the frustration Jesus must have been experiencing with these —His closest friends and followers. These were the people He would rely on to spread His Kingdom. These were His leaders —upon which the future of His entire mission would rest. These were the best. The cream of the crop.

 And they just didn’t get it. Jesus and the twelve have just left the feeding of the multitudes. There are only three short verses separating today’s Gospel reading from the feeding of the 5,000. 4 short sentences make up the span. 66 words. In those 66 words, the Pharisees had asked Jesus for yet another sign. Jesus sighed in frustration and refused to give them another sign. Remember, He had already fed thousands and thousands of people from 5 loaves and 2 fishes. The food had not yet even been digested. The bread was still soft. The fish still fresh. And still, these religious leaders asked for a sign.

Jesus and His disciples get on the boat to get away from these exasperating leaders. Jesus voices his frustration with the Pharisees. He is thinking of the conversation He has just had. The apostles’ ears are still ringing with his voice, …….and they think He is worried because they only brought one loaf of bread. That loaf must have been one of the thousands Jesus had just provided to the crowd.

Within 3 verses—-4 sentences——-66 words, Jesus had fed thousands with 5 loaves and 2 fishes; been asked for a sign of his kingdom and then suffered the ignorance and ineptness of his closest followers. I can almost physically sense the frustration and sorrow Jesus must be experiencing at that time.

  But, certainly, He never experiences that with us. Right?

•  We never hear the words to love our neighbor as our selves and then race to escape the parking lot after Mass —-so quickly that we pull out in front of that slower driver in our hurry to get home;

• We never seek God’s forgiveness for when we were impatient with a friend or family member and then hold a long and lasting grudge because a niece or nephew said just a really quick hello/goodbye as they raced past us on our visit to their home?

Jesus is ever gracious and ever patient. This reading does demonstrate that He dealt with all of the same problems which continue to plague us. But, Jesus dealt with them divinely—He continued to instruct. He patiently repeated the lesson. And He continued to give forth His incredible gifts of love, mercy and healing over the course of His ministry. He continues to do so today.

Especially during the soon approaching time of Lent. I hope we can all be thankful that Jesus assumed our human nature, and try to take on Jesus’ divine nature, by walking in the same steps and manner of Jesus.

TRUST: A TUG OF WAR WITH GOD

About 7 years ago, I took my son Jimmy and a neighbor boy to see a play in a downtown theater in Schenectady. Now, I had taken Jimmy and various friends to events on many occasions. However, this particular event sticks and will ever stay in my mind.

jimmy and his friend were about 4 years old. They were still at the hand holding stage. Or at least Jimmy was. It would seem, though, that his little friend had a streak of independence in him. As we exited the car, the friend started to take off down the road. Luckily, I was able to catch up with him and grabbed his hand. While I stood there catching my breath, my son spoke up and told his friend to hold my hand, since “Mommy always holds my hand and I know she will keep me safe.” Jimmy might have been teaching his friend about safety, but he also taught me a lot about what it means to trust. Somehow, my son knew that no matter what the circumstances, his needs would be met.

v He didn’t need to worry about crossing the street —-Mommy would be there.

v He didn’t need to worry about how to get to the theater—Mommy would lead him.

v At this age, he need not worry about watching for traffic —-Mommy would take care of that, too. He need only hold my hand and all would be well.

In the same way, I believe that this is what Jesus was trying to teach his 12 closest followers: “Don’t worry —-God will provide. I know Him and I trust Him. You should, too.”(eg., Mk 6:7-13).

These 12 were not going on a mission of their own choosing. They were being sent off by Jesus to proclaim the Good News. This was not an easy trip and it was not a short trip. Yet, all these 12 had to perform this mission was God’s hand. God would provide.

The people were certainly not drawn to the apostles because of their appearance. They were most likely filthy and smelly. Remember, they only were to bring the clothes on their back.

v The townspeople would not be drawn to the apostles by any bells and whistles, since the Apostles had no money or means to attract the people to their mission.

v The townspeople might even have reason to be repulsed from the mission, since they would have to provide food and lodging to complete strangers. The 12 didn’t have food and couldn’t even make reservations at a hotel or shelter, since whether or not they even stayed overnight was dependent on how the townspeople responded to the message.

Can you imagine going on such a long journey with no food, luggage or money?

Personally, I wouldn’t even be able to make it to the mall with those kinds of restrictions. Yet this was going to be relatively long mission trip. The 12 were told that even their most basic needs would be met.

This, of course, was a lesson in trust.

We know the end of the story. They were very successful. They did proclaim the Word of God. Many were healed and came to repent and believe in Jesus. They stepped out in faith. They offered all that they had —themselves —and God accepted their offering and worked it to His Glory.

Trust is a timeless lesson. It is one that we are all still learning.

In the letter to the Hebrews, Paul talks about the fact that God has made Himself approachable to us. He wants us to be part of His Kingdom. We are free and encouraged to approach God Almighty with joy —not in fear and trembling. God only asks that we trust Him.

—that we hear His voice

—trust Him

—and do what He asks.

Trust is difficult. For me, it is much like a tug of war. I tell God that I trust Him. Then, I figure I can handle just this tidbit of the problem. So, I tug back on the rope a little. Then, well, I could probably handle this myself, too. Oops, there goes that rope again. And so on and so on until I take back the entire rope and remove my trust from God’s hands.

Perhaps, today, we can think about those areas of our life where God is asking us to trust Him. Let’s relax on the rope a bit and trust God to accomplish His work in our lives. Like the 12 Apostles, let’s offer our trust and our lives to God, so that He can accomplish His work in our lives— for His glory and for the good of His Kingdom.

ROCK OF AGES

What made Peter such a rock? What made him so solid in his faith that Jesus could build an entire church on him? The Gospels, particularly Matt 16:13-23,gives us two clues.

First, Peter was open to God’s revelation. Just before he named Peter “Rock,” Jesus said that God had revealed to Peter the truth of who Jesus was. It wasn’t “flesh and blood,” it wasn’t Peter’s own good ideas, that led him to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. It was God’s own self speaking to Peter’s heart and giving him the conviction he needed to make such a bold proclamation.

Second, Peter let God form and shape his mind. We get a glimpse of this in the next few verses. Peter tries to talk Jesus out of dying on the cross, and Jesus rebukes him for thinking “not as God does, but as human beings do.” Over and over, Scripture shows Jesus correcting Peter, teaching him, and even rebuking him. But through it all, Peter stayed humble and kept learning. He kept trying to separate the godly from the ungodly in his heart, asking the Lord to refine him. As a result, Peter became immovable, solid as a rock, trustworthy and faithful—just the kind of qualities that make for a great leader, evangelist, brother, and friend.

Was Peter perfect? By no means! But he was a changed man. He still had some faults and areas of weakness. But he never let them drag him down.

How can we become solid? Well, by imitating Peter. We each have our own share of thoughts, attitudes, and assumptions. Many are good and wholesome, but some are not. These not-so-solid areas, such as resentments, prejudices, or pride, leave us weak and vulnerable to temptation. If we can follow Peter’s lead and let Jesus confront these areas, we can be set free.

What was self-centered in Peter became God-centered. His dreams became God’s dreams. The same can happen in us as we ask the Lord to break our patterns of selfishness and pride, and replace them with his self-giving love. We can become a rock in our parish. Indeed, we can build the Church.

STORY TIME

        Speaking in parables was one of Jesus’ most effective methods of teaching. A master storyteller, he had the ability to gain his listeners’ interest and involve them in the story’s drama. But Jesus’ parables weren’t simply engaging stories—they reveal to us the love of God and the values of his kingdom. They call us to deeper conversion.

        To bring a lesson home forcefully, Jesus often used exaggeration – a common Semitic practice – or contrasted opposites like wisdom and foolishness, generosity and stinginess. Surely, there’s no clearer instance of exaggeration than the reading about the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:21-35). A man who was forgiven an enormous debt – the equivalent of 150,000 years’ wages –refused to cancel another man’s debt that equaled a hundred days’ wages – a debt that was only 1/20,000 of one percent as great as his own. Although the servant acknowledged his own need for mercy, he didn’t allow that mercy to soften his heart. And the consequence for him was devastating.

The blunt ending of this story is a direct challenge for us to be just as forgiving to others as God has been to us. It also underscores something Jesus told his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount:  “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” If we are not trying our best to be merciful, compassionate, and forgiving, we will find it very hard to pray or to know God’s own love and mercy in our lives. If you think the consequences to the man who refused to forgive his neighbor’s debt were devastating, how much more devastating will be our own consequences if we fail to forgive the sins and transgressions of others. He paid the debt of imprisonment and slavery in this life. We will pay that same debt and for all eternity in the next life.

But as long as we breathe in air and walk this earth, we have the opportunity to come to grips with our need for mercy and to let God’s mercy soften our hearts so that we can change the way we relate to the people in our lives. God doesn’t want us to hold a grudge or treat anyone unkindly who is “in debt” to us. He doesn’t want to see our hearts darkened by bitterness or resentment. Rather, God wants his peace to rule us – and through us, to touch everyone around us. I am sure that we want that, too.

 

WEARING THE ARMOR OF GOD: Caped Crusaders?

               ‘Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breast-plate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming  arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephes 6:10-17).

               Action heroes seem to be the rage in movies all across the world. Not only have we been treated to re-workings of Batman and Superman lately, but we have also seen incarnations of Ironman, Spiderman and the Fantastic Four. More films are on the way. My bet is that they will be out soon at a theater near you.

                Action heroes have always been significant. I have been teaching religious ed. since I was a junior in high school. I recall that one day during my first year of teaching the pastor came in to listen to my class and review my work. He listened quietly for a while and then asked the kids what I had taught last week. I was teaching 1st graders at the time. A number of kids raised their hands and I selected a boy named Peter. I can still see his face today. He was one of the more articulate students in the class. He always paid attention and I figured I might be okay if he just answered the question. Well, he did a fine job…..sort of. He did relate the story of the Prodigal Son, which had been the topic of the last class. However, Peter had a very vivid imagination and he included Batman, Superman, Captain Courageous and about every other super hero you have ever heard of and then some. I made the mistake of asking Peter if he really remembered me mentioning these superheroes and he replied, “Oh yes, Miss Marie, that was the best part!” (Can you just begin to imagine the angst of a 17 year old with the fear of God in her heart?)

                Now, I assure you I had not included those superheroes in the lecture and I was very concerned with what the priest was now thinking of my teaching style as a young teenager. However, I was able to ask the kids what the characteristics of a superhero might be and we then all agreed that Jesus had those characteristics and then some. But, the story is meant to indicate the significance of super people in our lives.

                Why? What is it about superheroes that is so appealing? Is it their sense of confidence and invincibility? Or is it the way they seem like ordinary, everyday people, but actually have access to some secret power that makes them extraordinary?

                The Bible itself can give the impression that we can be like superheroes if we learn to “draw [our] strength from the Lord and from His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). I think Ephesians really reflects that we can be much more than any superhero conjured up in some local movie theater. If the superhero’s characteristic is that of invincibility, confidence and access to some secret power, we have it head and shoulder over any rendition of Batman, Superman or Wonder woman. After all, who is more powerful than God? And if we have access to God’s mighty power—which we do because of God’s grace—then we can (and should) do awesome things.

                God equips us to face the issues that confront us each day. We don’t have to look for trouble, but we will have what we need once evil confronts us.      

                Let’s look at that particular passage of Ephesians again, and identify the instruments that Paul lists: a breastplate, boots, a shield, a helmet, and finally a sword. Did you notice that only one is a weapon? The rest are meant as protection against attack. They are defensive—rather than offensive weapons.

                Certainly the sword might indicate that we should go out and actively confront the issues of the day. The Church certainly does do that.. But, most of the time, we do not need to look for an opportunity to take a stand. The issues of the day seem to find us. They seem to find us at our weakest and most personal point, too.

               Is it a lack of patience when the phone rings with one more person complaining while we are trying to feed our family dinner?

               Is it a sense of pride that is hurt when others overlook all of our hard work?

               Is it some other bad trait that just keeps poking its head up day after day despite all of our best efforts to tame it and put it to                rest?

               A breastplate is a piece of armor that protected the breast or torso of the individual from injury. It protected the wearer’s core. Being righteous —knowing and living in the truth—keeps us close to and one with God. This righteousness, as evidenced perhaps most strongly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is our anchor. It is the rock upon which our lives depend and upon which any response to the evil of the world must be based.

                Boots will allow a person to come to the aid of another or flee when a response won’t work. There are times when a response is called for; when we must speak the Gospel to those around us. However, the recognized need for peace also indicates that there are times when such a response can’t work and should not be made. Jesus told us Himself,–“Do not cast your pearls before swine.”

                The helmet of salvation will assist us in discerning those times when we should respond or flee. That same gift of discernment will govern when and if the sword of the Spirit should be used. The sword belongs to the Spirit, though. It is not ours to wield on our own behalf —but only upon the discretion and determination of the Spirit.

                Why must we be so equipped? Why is this important? Because there is a battle going on all around us, and we need to be aware of it. Generally, our calling in life is not to actively wage war against enemy forces. Instead, we wield the defensive equipment to serve our larger duty. Our greatest calling is to build the kingdom of God– keeping our eyes on Jesus, not on our enemies. We simply need this armor to protect us when the devil tries to wear us down.

                 Always, we must stand behind and upon our faith. This is our protection. It is God who will protect and defend us. Even when we question, and those questions are necessary and good, we recognize that faith exists despite and as a result of our need to know more about our God and Savior.

                So, let us remember to equip ourselves each day with the armor of faith and to ask our Lord to help us learn how to stay alert to the spiritual battles we face as we endeavor to build up God’s kingdom on earth.