He Loved to Death

 

How many people in this world today totally disagree with one another, people who can NEVER agree, on anything?  We see it in the “wise men” in Washington whose vote on any bill is a given; they may as well stay at home and save us money; we know their vote.  They disagree so much that no talking can bring compromise.  They cannot look upon their neighbor across the aisle with love.  Could you ever imagine any of them washing the feet of their neighbor?  And yet, today we heard how if we are to follow Jesus, that is what we must do. 

So, who are they following?

I don’t judge anyone; that is not for me to do.  What I am to do, as told very clearly, is to love God and love neighbor.  How?  Well, Jesus’ example of washing of the feet is a clear example:  we love others regardless of who they are or what they did (like Judas); we love others without considering our wants or their faults. We will to love them.  Just as we will to love, we are also to will to forgive their faults.  It is what Jesus did even on the cross; it is what we must will to do.  We pray: Our Father … forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”…

And what are we praying for if we can’t forgive others?

The Gospel of John, the Last Supper discourse in Chapters 13-17, really summarize all the Gospels.  They emphasize over and over again: Just love them.  Jesus ate with tax collectors, spoke with sinners, and healed those who no one would come near.  I love the scene in The Chosen television series where Jesus heals the leper, and then hugs him.  How long had it been since the leper, whom no one was allowed within 30 feet of, had been hugged?  (And we think our 6-foot pandemic distancing is onerous).  Love has no boundaries.  Love heals all wrongs.  Love forgives ---- anything.

Many of my Lenten meditation readings this year seem to speak to our broken world.  All of them agree: it’s not ours to fix.  We want to change other people, from politicians to former friends to our children, but they are not ours to fix.  Pray, and give Jesus’ example to them: love them anyway.  Give example of how to live as Jesus taught us, and love unconditionally.  Trust in God to change hearts, and change the world.

If we can but love our neighbor, it’s a very good start on changing the world, our world.

“When Judas begins to carry out his betrayal, Christ says ‘now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him (Jn 13)’.  What’s the connection?  Love.  Love means giving of self; by accepting the suffering and death that Judas’ betrayal brings on, Jesus is revealing and making visible God’s immeasurable love for each one of us.  He loves us so much that He is willing to suffer in our place.”  -- The Better Part, Meditation 281 on Jn 13

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  – Jn 14:1

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Today, Good Friday, I watched the movie The Passion, between noon and 3PM.  As I watched, I prayed the rosary.  As I watched Jesus suffer for my sins and Mary’s suffering with Him, I prayed: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners …. It was hard to pray while watching what my sins did.  And I often asked her forgiveness also.