20/20 Hindsight


20/20 Hindsight – a phenomenon of something in the past making complete sense due to current experiences, or wishing you knew then what you know now. This is exactly what happens in our Gospel reading this coming Sunday when we revisit the events of the Last Supper, which we commemorated on Maundy Thursday four weeks ago. 

While for us, unlike the apostles, all of these events are well in the past and we understand them through the lens of centuries of theology and liturgical interpretation, think about how our perspective has changed during the last four weeks.  We are in the festival season of Easter and have reclaimed our “Alleluia!”  Spring has actually sprung and the temperatures (sometimes) are beginning to feel much warmer.  We have born witness to terrible natural and human-made tragedies in Iran (earthquake), Texas and Boston.  How do we hear the words, “Love one another as I have loved you” differently in light of these current realities? 

This is exactly where Peter finds himself when he has to defend his actions about eating and accepting Gentiles to his community in Jerusalem.  The Book of the Acts of the Apostles, which we are currently studying during the Wednesday Bible Study, offers an amazing insight into how the apostles learned how to live into the example and lessons from their beloved teacher.  And they found out it is not easy.  In fact, following the path of Jesus is really difficult, especially when our understanding of the world is challenged.

I am deeply saddened by the responds of some “Christians” who think it is right to vilify all those connected in any way to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the man accused of the bombings in Boston, whether they are Chechnyan or Muslim or something other than what they define as acceptable to God.  I do believe this young man needs to answer to his crimes according to our laws.  I also believe he is very troubled and has been led astray.  I love him as a child of God, regardless of whether he accepts that identity or my love.  That is what I am called to do by my Lord and Savior.  I also love those who choose to speak out with terrible prejudice and fear by offering the prayer, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”

How do you hear the words of Christ differently on this side of Easter?  I look forward to hearing your responses.

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