Passion
Chapters 21-23 of the Gospel of Luke
Although I grew up in the Church
(from about 2nd grade), I don’t recall hearing Jesus’s suffering
called “The Passion.” I think we might
have learned that term in Confirmation Class (6th grade), but it didn’t
make much sense to me as the word “passion” seemed to be what was on the soap
operas my mother wouldn’t let me watch. As far as I knew, Jesus didn’t even
have a girlfriend!
I must admit that referring to
Jesus’s Passion is still a bit jarring to me as popular culture continues to use that
word to connote intense romantic love.
And yet, there is an elegance to that as well, as Jesus is passionate in
his love for the Church, the beloved community of believers, for whom he sacrificed
his life. The intensity of emotions that runs through these 3 chapters underscores
the depth of his devotion and desire to love us even when we don’t deserve
it. It is difficult to read the events that
lead to Jesus’s execution, but it is necessary.
But hold that thought for a
moment, because the first 4 verses of Chapter 21 offer the story of “the widow’s
mite.” Here is another saying that befuddled
me as a child, because I heard the word “might,” so, naturally, I thought of a
very strong older woman. It wasn’t until
a priest (many years later) explained that the small copper coins used in Biblical
times were called “mites,” which connected to the “mite boxes” we used to put
our pennies in during Lent. The beauty
of this story, which is very short in Luke’s version, is Jesus appreciating
this women’s sacrifice, recognizing that she, too, is willing to give her all
to show her love and devotion to God. Who
knows if this woman had enough to eat or a place to sleep (something the Temple
should have been helping her with!). She
gave all with no expectation of repayment, just in faithfulness, which may have
inspired Jesus in his own tribulation.
The rest of Chapter 21 offers a
series of signs of what is to come.
Unfortunately, much of what Jesus says has been used by others
throughout the ages to support their version of the end of the world. It is true that Jesus offers a stark version
of the future that includes wars, famine, and persecution. And he was right, including the destruction
of the Temple in Jerusalem. His POINT,
however was not to be distracted by all of that, because that is what humans
do. What believers should be focused on
is how to be faithful through it all and share God’s love in spite of all the
horrible things humans do. That is the
real challenge. And again, this foreshadows
what takes place in Chapters 22 and 23, when the world seems to be ending as justice
is perverted.
Over the next 3 days (Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday), which is called the Triduum – the Holy
Three Days – the Church will remember all the events that happens in Chapters
22 – 23. This blog cannot do justice to
the richness of these events, so I choose to focus on two aspects: Satan and
sinners.
Satan, which is a Hebrew term that
means “adversary,” has been personified to be the opposing force to God’s will
in the world. In Luke’s Gospel, we are
told Satan “entered into” Judas Iscariot and made him betray Jesus into the
hands of the authorities. Rather than
being possessed by evil, I think it was subtler than that. I know I have done the wrong thing in the
moment for what I thought were the right reasons. I believe that Judas thought
he was protecting Jesus from himself, maybe even believing that the Jewish
leadership would not promote Jesus’s execution, but simply stop him from being
so provocative. After Judas kisses Jesus in the Garden, unlike the Gospel of
Matthew, he is not heard from again.
Satan is also invoked to explain Peter’s
denial of Jesus (22:31). While Peter has
the best of intentions, in the heat of the moment, he does the exact opposite
of what he wants to do. This connects back to Chapter 21 when Jesus tells his
disciples to not be afraid of what to say when they are persecuted for they
will be given the words, but only if they allow the words to come. In this instance, Peter cannot do that. It is a shameful lesson and one that will
have a profound impact on Peter’s ministry.
We can clearly see the sin of
Judas and Peter. There are also the sins of
egotism and pride when the disciples argue over who is the greatest. The Jewish leadership are sinful of their own
arrogance, believing they have a right to demand the death of an innocent
man. Pilate uses his power to enact the
execution. And the men crucified with Jesus
have committed their own crimes and sins.
However, in Luke’s Gospel, one of the men asks for Jesus’s forgiveness,
even as they are dying. This is a
powerful reminded that we are all sinful and we are all in need of
forgiveness. It is never to late to turn
to Jesus and ask for his presence in our lives. It was why he chose to be on that cross and
give his life for us.
It is important to be with Jesus
during his Passion. We cannot get to Easter
without Good Friday. In this world of
instant gratification, we need to wait and bear witness to the real pain and
suffering that we all experience in some way.
It is hard and hence why we need each other to bear us up. Let us kneel
at the foot of the cross, confess our sins and ask for God to be present to us
in a new and powerful way. May we be forgiven
and renewed.
Have a blessed Holy Week,
Rev. Valerie+
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