Scripture:
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading, some people go to the Pharisees to tell them what Jesus had done, notably raising Lazarus from the dead. So, the Sanhedrin is convened, and the Pharisees say to one another, “If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” Caiaphas, the high priest, says to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” Unknowingly, Caiaphas prophesies about what Jesus’ Passion and death means for the whole world. And then we are told, “from that day on they planned to kill him.”
Those who planned to kill Jesus were acting out of fear of what the Romans would do, and what they might lose. When we look at what is going on in our country and in our world, we see that fear can very readily lead to violence and division. We can fear the “other,” or fear the loss that change may bring, and be tempted to lash out.
What can help us calm our fears? What can help us move forward in spite of our fears? We know the answer. It is the love of God in Jesus Christ. The One who is able to transform evil into good, can, if we let God in, heal our hearts and quell our fears. The world needs us to follow Jesus and move beyond our fears. The world needs healing, and the rise of justice and peace.
May we trust in God and be healed of the fear that divides us. May the love of Jesus from the Cross lead us to work for justice and make peace.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.