Wednesday of Holy Week--The Holy Face

Today's first reading from Isaiah shows Christ's willingness to suffer for our sake.

I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The responsorial psalm goes further:

For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

The line "zeal for your house consumes me" has always touched me, especially in relation to being an "outcast to my mother's sons."  There will be times, especially now, when being a Christian will put you in direct opposition to those around you; when longing to be in the Presence of God in His house, will make you a laughing stock.  Remember that Jesus walked that road for us and before us. Our consolation *is* being in the Presence.

As always in the psalms, though, it ends praising God.

I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.

Hang onto this hope. God will be praised.

Wednesday of Holy Week--The Holy Face

Today's first reading from Isaiah shows Christ's willingness to suffer for our sake.

I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The responsorial psalm goes further:

For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

The line "zeal for your house consumes me" has always touched me, especially in relation to being an "outcast to my mother's sons."  There will be times, especially now, when being a Christian will put you in direct opposition to those around you; when longing to be in the Presence of God in His house, will make you a laughing stock.  Remember that Jesus walked that road for us and before us. Our consolation *is* being in the Presence.

As always in the psalms, though, it ends praising God.

I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.

Hang onto this hope. God will be praised.

Tuesday of Holy Week--Do Not Despair

In today's gospel, Jesus predicts the betrayal of both Judas and Peter.  The stories are parallel but differ in important points.  Judas betrays Christ and later despairs while Peter repents.  Judas does not think that God is great enough, or merciful enough to forgive him.  Peter, on the other hand, weeps for his sins, but repents and goes on to lead the Apostles and the new Church.

We see these differences symbolically in this painting by Andrea del Castagno (1423-1457)Judas is shown in dark garments sitting across the table from Jesus.  Peter, shown as the traditional wise old(er) man and future pope, sits on Jesus' right hand and John the Beloved Disciple sits on his left.

As long as we stay with Christ, we will be saved.

Let us fight against despair and always remember God's mercy is for us individually.

Tuesday of Holy Week--Do Not Despair

In today's gospel, Jesus predicts the betrayal of both Judas and Peter.  The stories are parallel but differ in important points.  Judas betrays Christ and later despairs while Peter repents.  Judas does not think that God is great enough, or merciful enough to forgive him.  Peter, on the other hand, weeps for his sins, but repents and goes on to lead the Apostles and the new Church.

We see these differences symbolically in this painting by Andrea del Castagno (1423-1457)Judas is shown in dark garments sitting across the table from Jesus.  Peter, shown as the traditional wise old(er) man and future pope, sits on Jesus' right hand and John the Beloved Disciple sits on his left.

As long as we stay with Christ, we will be saved.

Let us fight against despair and always remember God's mercy is for us individually.

Monday of Holy Week--Take Courage

Today's gospel reading is the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church tells us that in this story, Jesus is shown as both God and man.  His divinity is shown by his raising Lazarus from the dead and his humanity by his weeping at the death of his friend.

The raising of Lazarus gives us hope in some very real ways.  Lazarus was a human.  Lazarus, doubtless, sinned.  But Jesus nevertheless, raised him from the dead and Jesus, our God, wept for him.

Today's psalm (27) tells us to "wait for the Lord with courage.  Be stouthearted and wait for the Lord."

Hat tip to Vivificat for the link.

Monday of Holy Week--Take Courage

Today's gospel reading is the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church tells us that in this story, Jesus is shown as both God and man.  His divinity is shown by his raising Lazarus from the dead and his humanity by his weeping at the death of his friend.

The raising of Lazarus gives us hope in some very real ways.  Lazarus was a human.  Lazarus, doubtless, sinned.  But Jesus nevertheless, raised him from the dead and Jesus, our God, wept for him.

Today's psalm (27) tells us to "wait for the Lord with courage.  Be stouthearted and wait for the Lord."

Hat tip to Vivificat for the link.

The State as Religion

The Beacon Blog has a thought provoking post entitled, Nothing Outside the State, in which it postulates that for some people, the State has become their religion.  I agree with A Conservative Blog for Peace who says that this is true for both the right and the left.  There is no area of our lives in which the state does not have a say.  It regulates us from the moment we are born (and before) to the moment we die.  It makes common transactions  into unbearably complicated and frustratingly impossible labyrinths.

By becoming all-pervasive, the state leaves us unable to follow our own consciences and our own faith. The state makes our decisions for us, about what we teach our children, about life, and about death.

Over the years, there has been much hand wringing over the possibility of religion becoming (too) political.  I think, now, the opposite has happened.  (People's) politics has become (their) religion.  Most Americans are happy with neither party, and those who operate within the two party system are extremists who seem unable to work with members of the other party, and, often, with those in their own party as well.  They see their party and its platform as a kind of fundamentalist scripture from which they dare not deviate.  This does not bode well for the future of the United States.