Scripture:
Reflection:
If I lived in Jesus’ time and heard him say some of the things that John reports, I would have joined the questioning and skeptical voices. After all, he was just a young man from Galilee who claimed that he existed before Abraham and that he knew God in a way even the elders and religious authorities didn’t. Besides, if what he said was true, it would change everything, even requiring those in power to bow before and serve others rather than the reverse.
In our present day, though, when we read Jesus’ claims, we think nothing of it, having gotten so comfortable in our Christianity that we barely pay attention to such statements. Yet, I wonder if we too blithely shrug our shoulders, too easily dismissing his statements and the accompanying challenges. I fear that God’s voice is crying out all around us, and we harden our hearts to the message. How seriously do we believe that Jesus is the Son of God who has existed since before time? And what does it mean if we do? Has our Christianity become more of a set of cultural beliefs and familiar rituals instead of giving ourselves over to a supernatural, ever-living God whom we follow and worship above all else?
I know I sometimes catch myself shying away from God’s word because I know it requires changing my life. Giving up chocolate like I did as a kid doesn’t hold a candle to what Jesus asks of me now. What about giving up my own privilege and security – physical, financial, and social – in service to others? What about standing up for those without a voice rather than throwing stones from the comfort of my cushy recliner? What about taking the risk of speaking out against the injustices happening today?
These are the questions of Lent, especially as we approach the Passion. Jesus is crying out in our lives. God weeps that we stray so far from the divine covenant. When we hear God’s voice trying to break through in our hearts, in our lives, in our world today, I fall on my shaking knees and pray that we don’t harden our hearts. Let’s take Jesus seriously, reflect ever more deeply on his mission and mandate to us, and follow his teachings even if they lead to the cross.
Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago. For many years she has partnered with the Passionists. Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.