Clear Agreement

Gospel: John 20: 1-9

The four Gospels disagree on a number of items and details in the life, death, and post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus.  However, in terms of the Resurrection itself, there are a number of points of agreement:  the tomb of Jesus was empty; Mary Magdalene and other women kept vigil at the tomb and were the first to see the risen Jesus; the women were the first to announce this Good News to others; the men-folk did not believe them.  All four Gospels agree on these points.  

We began the Gospel stories of Jesus' birth with women who had incredible stories to tell, and men who did not believe them.  Without the women we would not have these stories of Jesus' birth.  We now end the Gospels with women with an incredible story to tell, and men who did not believe them.  Without them we would not have the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus.  All we would have of the Gospels are a bunch of men who continually get it wrong in belief and in following Jesus.  

For those churches who continue to exclude women from ministry in the church these stories stand as an indictment to persistent toxic masculinity that somehow becomes "the tradition" to which they insist we must adhere.  The Resurrection of Jesus is our continual hope and witness against this false tradition, that the ministry of the risen Jesus is a ministry for all in bringing hope and healing, faith and liberation, love and nourishment to a world in need of these things. 

The Silent God

Holy Saturday

There are no readings, no Mass today, no activity.  The tomb is sealed and all is silent.  It is the most uncomfortable day of the Church year.  We do not know what to do with ourselves.  We do not know how to handle the silence and inactivity of the day.  Today is the day of the silent God, the one we pretend does not exist but in reality is the one we encounter day in and day out in our lives.  It is the God who does not speak, the God who just is and is present to us.

We often hear from people how God has spoken to them, but this is mostly projection in an attempt to justify what we would believe and do anyway.  The silent God is much more challenging to us.  The presence makes us uncomfortable.  We demand that God speak to us, but God does not.  God just remains present to us, and the entire path of spirituality lies in coming to realize that the presence of God is enough for us, that this presence fills us entirely and that we need nothing else from God but that presence.

How often do we just need others to be present to us, to listen to us without saying or doing anything?  We often do not get that from most people, as they will insist on saying and doing something, very often not helping at all in the process.  We have such a presence accessible to us at all times, the God of presence we encounter in silence.  Today is the day to encounter this God, to become comfortable with this God, for this is the only God we have, and it is enough. 

The Fateful Decision

Gospel: John 18: 1-19: 42

Today we are faced with choosing between Jesus and Barabbas through the figure of Pontius Pilate.  In this scene Pilate is between the religious authorities seeking the death of Jesus and Jesus himself.  He crosses the Praetorium time and again to talk with each of them before arriving at his decision.  Both the choice he makes and the reasons he has for his choice are chilling reminders of the way of the world that are at odds with the person and witness of Jesus.

Pilate in this scene is calculating.  He backs the religious leaders into a corner, getting them to swear allegiance to Caesar.  When they have done so, then and only then does he hand Jesus over to them for crucifixion.  Jesus is a mere pawn in a contest of power.  The religious leaders only come to realize this when it is too late, when they see the placard placed on the cross of Jesus.  You have sworn allegiance to Caesar: this is what happens if you choose Jesus or anyone else as your king. 

How often is Jesus a mere pawn in contests of power, one that religious leaders are all too willing to bargain away!  How many people are pawns in such games - immigrants, refugees, migrants, the poor, exploited women and children!  Choosing Caesar means choosing death for so many, and ultimately for oneself.  Choosing the Lord Jesus means temporary suffering and death, but ultimate resurrection and life eternal.  Today is election day.  Choose wisely.