Word to the Wise
Saturday, March 20, 2010 - Saturday in the Fourth Week of Lent
[Jeremiah 11:18-20 and John 7:40-53]I knew their plot because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings......
Part of a thriller movie, book or drama is being brought into the story. We know about the plot against the hero and yet are not in a position to warn him/her, no matter how much we cry out! However, Jeremiah and Jesus both seem to have known that their lives and ministry were in danger because of the message they were preaching. We, the observers and hearers all these centuries later still want to warn Jesus not to go to Jerusalem, but our efforts are in vain, just as those of the apostles were! Scripture scholars and our own reading alert us that the "cleansing of the temple" is the straw that would break the camel's back. The "powers that be" decide that Jesus must go, but they are afraid of provoking a riot. It is only when Judas turns traitor that they get their opportunity. Even when they send guards to arrest Jesus, the guards come back empty-handed because they are mesmerized by Jesus' teaching. (cf today's gospel scripture: "No one has ever spoken like this man!") During the next two weeks, the plot will gain strength and the drama becomes more intense. This is an opportunity for us all to allow ourselves to be drawn into the action and perhaps place ourselves in the shoes (or sandals) of the major characters, whether it be Jesus, apostle, crowd person, religious authority. We may find ourselves carrying a cross or hammering a nail. This is the drama of salvation and it is our salvation that is at stake. How can we just sit on the sideline? AMEN
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