First Sunday of Lent [C]

 


FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT [C]


Some of you will remember a film called “In Harm’s Way.”  Originally it was released as a novel [1962]; soon afterward it was adapted for the screen [1965]. A number of story-lines are covered throughout the course of the feature. One of the more intriguing story-lines centers around a Naval officer being reunited with his son. He had long ago drifted out of contact with his ex-wife and his toddler son. Therefore it comes as a surprise when he learns that the son is now serving as an ensign in the Navy. 


This leads to an eventual reunion. Can it be described as a happy occasion? Not exactly. For his part, the father has high hopes. However, tension fills the air, from the very first moment that the encounter gets underway. The son offers the courtesy that would befit a superior officer, but he offers nothing beyond that. No warmth. No smile. No acknowledgment of a family bond. The gripping scene concludes with the presentation of a stiff salute. Wearing a grim expression, the superior officer (played by John Wayne) slowly returns the salute. 


Now, for the sake of full disclosure, we can say that the relationship does begin to move in a healthier direction as the story unfolds. And yet, it might be worth isolating upon that theme of bitter disappointment. John Wayne wants more than military courtesy. He wants to have a meaningful bond with his son. He wants something intimate, something fresh. He doesn’t want to settle for a captain/ensign relationship. Still, that’s all he’s getting—at least for the time being. He’s getting less than what he was hoping for. 


What are you hoping for? Think for a moment about your relationship with the Lord. What do you want from the Lord? For starters, you probably would like to see a smile on his face. You’d certainly welcome an embrace, if he were to initiate an embrace. But suppose you’re getting a whole lot less. He’s keeping his distance. You’re not seeing a smile. There’s no sign of an embrace. All he’s giving you is the formality of a salute. That’s what we’re left with, if our Lord becomes a Lord of “short-cuts.”  


In Luke chapter four we hear about a series of short-cuts being recommended by the devil (4:1-13). Thankfully, the Lord has no interest; he declines. We’re thankful because if the Lord warms up to the idea of talking short-cuts, Calvary gets edited out of the picture. What will it mean for us if the grave is not going to be transformed? If it’s not being transformed into a passageway, then the grave will remain what it has always been: a final destination. Furthermore, the Lord’s love will never reach the point of being revealed as a demonstrated love. It can be considered a verbalized love, but not a demonstrated love. Abstract? Yes. Theoretical? Perhaps. Concrete? Definitely not. 


Paul talks about certain non-negotiables, as he corresponds with the people of Rome. He places particular emphasis upon the doctrine of the Resurrection (Rom. 10:9). In order to be lifted up from the grave, you have to first of all be lowered into the grave. In other words, Jesus has to submit himself to the reality of death, so that he can subsequently be glorified through the miracle of the Resurrection. What kind of death will Jesus suffer? It’s being understood as a sacrificial death. Through the shedding of his blood we will be endowed with the gift of a new beginning—or rather, a New Covenant. 


Our first reading this weekend concerns the original covenant. From a Deuteronomy standpoint, you fulfill your sense of identity when you make a thanksgiving offering to the Lord (26:4-10). It’s all part of your response to the covenant that has been put into place. Let’s say you’re being a true Israelite when you practice a spirit of gratitude. Likewise, with regard to the New Covenant. As Christians, we’re truly thankful for the covenant that has been sealed with the blood of the Lamb. It is a cause for gratitude and also a cause for celebration. We celebrate because our relationship with the Lord has been taken to a new level. Essentially, we are being looked upon, not as strangers, but as cherished members of the Lord’s own family. 

Popular posts from this blog

Second Sunday of Easter [B]

Image
  SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER  You will find that some Bible passages have a way of explaining themselves. These verses come across as straight-forward. You don’t need any help forming your interpretation. But then you make your way into the First Letter of St. John. Chapter five outlines a series of witnesses; referred to as the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood (5:6-8). Jesus comes to us by way of the Spirit, by way of the Water, and by way of the Blood. Upon consulting the commentaries you discover that scholarly opinion remains divided, regarding this selection. A definitive interpretation has not yet been reached. Generally, however, speculation has leaned in the direction of the Jordan River, with Jesus stepping forward to be baptized.   If you pray the Rosary, this ranks as the first of the Luminous Mysteries. You know that this mystery centers around the symbol of water. You know also that the Holy Spirit becomes visible in the image of a dove (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:...
Read more

Welcome

 These are text versions of the sermons I have prepared for the Sundays of the calendar year. I am a Catholic priest of the diocese of Gaylord (Michigan), ordained in 1997. 
Read more

Passion Sunday [B]

Image
  PASSION SUNDAY Because we are in the “B” cycle, this year’s Passion reading will come from the Gospel of St. Mark. Last year, with cycle “A,” we heard St. Matthew’s account. Next year, observing cycle “C,” we will hear from St. Luke. If you are wondering about St. John, we spend time in his Gospel every year, especially during the seasons of Lent and Easter. As for Mark, his Gospel bears a resemblance to both Matthew and Luke. These are called the “Synoptic Gospels,” because they appear to be synchronized around a common body of source material. We find plenty in the way of similarities, but we also find peculiarities---elements that are unique to each of the Synoptics. For example, with regard to Mark’s version of the Passion, attention is called to a particular young man who panics as the authorities come to arrest Jesus. He, likewise, very nearly gets apprehended, but they manage only to grip the hem of his tunic. The unnamed disciple slips out of his garment and runs off into...
Read more