Today’s Gospel Story for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (John 3:13-17) reminds us “For God so loved the world . . . Abba did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him”. To oversimplify, the majority report hears these words as a reminder of the importance of Jesus and what he did millennia ago.
“So that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life”. Believing about Jesus and believing in Jesus are two different things. They might be like looking at a map of New York City and actually living in New Your City, walking the streets, etc. There is a world of difference between the two. Believing about Jesus is pretty much a head affair, a matter of thinking and logic, knowing the right words. Believing in Jesus is a way of living where Jesus is an important part of our every day. For some John 3:16 has become a battle cry. Our way is the only way. Pope Francis: ”There are times when faith in God is … sadly manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred instead of furthering peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and fraternity”.
This past week we were reminded yet again that violence, especially gun violence, is very much a part of our life these days. We are becoming inured to this sort of thing. There are the usual responses to violence and tragedies — finger pointing and blaming, thoughts and prayers, political bluster and posturing, accusing, while nothing changes. There is a dearth of leadership, both political and church related, something else we’ve gotten used to. And so it has always been. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was one of the few who spoke wisdom, and his speech is worth watching: “If anyone, in the sound of my voice, celebrated even a little bit at the news of the shooting, I would beg you to look in the mirror, and see if you can find a better angel in there somewhere.”
Abba so loved the world back then in the time of Jesus, and Abba loves the world here and now, today, and any who claim to be Jesus’ followers are called to live as Jesus lived, which leads to a minority report. It is worth remembering that I am capable of the greatest good and of the greatest evil. While on retreat last year, in the process of Confession the priest gave me a prayer of Blessed Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682) a Jesuit saint. To paraphrase, “Lord, I am in this world to show Your love and mercy to others”. If I believe that Abba still loves the world today, which I certainly do, I have to look at how I live every day. This might seem to be my mission now.
Henri Nouwen, “For Jesus, there are no countries to be conquered, no ideologies to be imposed, no people to be dominated. There are only children, women and men to be loved.” People everywhere, on all sides of every question, are hurting. We see it everyday in the news. But what about the ones we don’t see, and perhaps are right in front of us? Folks I see every day are bearing a burden I know nothing about. There have been many shootings recently, as well as other forms of violence. Some people, created in Abba’s image as I am, as all of us are, seem to be hurting so bad that the only way they can deal with their pain is to inflict it on others. How do I live Abba’s love for the people I meet every day? These words from Mother Teresa show she had similar questions: “I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.” May I be changed . . .
Abba so loves the world, all of it, every one of us, as we are. Many do not know this, or even care. I believe Abba is with us in everything without exception, and this is what keeps me going. By your grace I welcome everything that is coming into my life today because it is of you, and I let go of my desire for security, approval, need to know, and esteem. May I not contribute to anyone’s suffering, but only to their healing and well being. As I move through today, every day, may I do my best to live Colombiere’s words, and live your love and mercy for everybody.
From Thomas Merton, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end”. While I do not know the destination, I trust the path. I hope I am willing to be led. The tragedies in our own country, the disruptions of families, the suffering from government polices and actions, judging people for how they see themselves or whom they love, migrants around the world, Russian drones over Poland, the suffering in Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, so many other places . . .“We are pilgrims of hope in a demented world” (Cardinal McElroy). Pope Leo offers hope as he calls us to “rebuild the credibility of a wounded Church, sent to a wounded humanity, within a wounded creation”.
The sin I see in the world begins in my own heart. So, instead of pointing the blame to others and accusing them of not doing anything, I need to begin with myself to search for, perhaps to bring, Abba’s love and mercy to others, without exception, always. May I ever choose what better leads to Abba’s deepening life in me. Just sayin . . .