A Time to Mourn

Gospel: John 16: 16-20

"You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices."

Pay heed to the content of the world's rejoicing: it speaks of the glories of war, rejoicing in body counts and the atrocities of war.  It revels in the economic exploitation of the poor, immigrants, migrants, and refugees for the profit of corporations.  It celebrates and exalts wealthy athletes and their exploits, using public funds necessary for the poor instead to build stadiums. It seeks the esteem and table of the billionaire while Lazarus is outside cold and hungry.

It is for these things that the Christian rightly weeps.   It is Christ himself who is exploited, abused, and neglected by these things the world finds celebratory.  It is Christ in the person of the poor who needs our care and attention, who needs our tears to wipe their weary feet.  It is Christ who is once again crucified unjustly by the state and religion for the sake of its own power, influence, and wealth.  But this time we will not betray him, not deny him, not abandon him.  This time we will accompany him.

In these confusing days when we are not sure when to celebrate the Ascension, we reflect on the fact that the Lord Jesus does in fact ascend to heaven where our citizenship as Christians resides.  But we must follow the way the Lord himself walked in order to get there - the way of love and service to others, a life of love and mercy extended to all in need.