Who Have YOU Been During Holy Week?

Today is Holy Saturday of Holy Week 2013.

During this Holy Week, the Lord has provided us with many opportunities to spiritually walk with Him.

We have had the opportunity to be with Him as He was received with shouts of "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"; as He instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood; to stay and pray or to fall asleep in His darkest hour.

We have walked with Him as He was betrayed...even betraying Him ourselves perhaps; followed Him as He was deserted, beaten, illegally tried, condemned, inhumanely tortured, spit upon, and ridiculed. We were there as the shouts turned to "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

We have witnessed Him carrying the cross, falling under the weight of the cross, crawling under the weight of the cross; already so near death that Simon is forcibly pressed into service to help Him. Perhaps for a moment, we helped Him as well.

We have witnessed Him take our sins upon Himself so that the chains of sin can be broken.

Adam and Eve ate of the tree of life thus bringing death into the world. Jesus, the Lamb of God, hung on a tree of death bringing the gift of everlasting life to a world that does not deserve Him, desperately needs Him, and obstinately rejects Him.

We had the opportunity to be present as our Lord gave us to His mother and gave His mother to us; to be there as He gave up His Spirit, died for us, and was laid in the tomb.

This is where we find ourselves today.

I set out last week to blog about the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the witnesses. When I stated that goal, I thought that I would use material I have written in the past and posted in other locations. Well, let's just say that it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, and almost all of the material had to be re-thought, re-written, etc. It turns out that this was good for me though, and it made for a more reflective Holy Week for me than it would have been.

One last thing, before I conclude; while I tried to capture the experience of many of the witnesses, the series is certainly not all-inclusive. We can and should identify with many of these and other witnesses of the events of that first Holy Week.

Who are YOU in the Passion of the Christ?

The Pharisees – Knowledgeable of religion, its practices and traditions, but unable to see that God is in our midst…so busy with what we think is important that we are deaf to what Jesus is telling us is really important.

Judas - When we grow weary that the mission of Jesus may not be what we want it to be. We become self-absorbed, thinking that we know better than God. In choosing our own will over God's Will, we betray Him.

Peter – When we allow fear to overwhelm us. When we are afraid to stand up for what is right and true. When we are afraid to proclaim or even acknowledge our Faith. When, although we have walked with Jesus, touched Him, spoken with Him, seen the wonders He has done…right in front of us; we run away at the most critical of times.

The crowd – When we close God out and listen to others and allow them to influence us to accuse others wrongly or to shout for blood.

Herod – Reducing Jesus to some small wonder-worker or looking for some magical sign.

Pilate – When we give in to the crowd telling us what to do, pressuring us to do something…even when we know it isn't right. Or when we are so caught up in ourselves and our own worries that we attempt to create our own truth or deny there is such a thing as truth…even when THE TRUTH, Christ is there before us.

The soldiers – When we continue to sin, although our sins tear at, bruise, scourge, and pierce our Lord…all while He is pleading for us, "Father, forgive them." Here, the word He uses is ABBA, a word that was really used by young children when addressing their fathers. A word that may be better translated as "Daddy". "Daddy, forgive them."

The scoffing criminal crucified next to Jesus – When we allow ourselves to become so angry and bitter that we are actually angry and bitter with God.


Perhaps we are like some of these people. Perhaps we are like all of these people. One thing is for sure though. We are, each and every one of us;

Barabbas – the notorious sinner who truly deserved to die, and in fact had already been condemned to death…but instead, Jesus, our God who humbled Himself and became one of us, took our place on the cross and died for us so that we might live.


It's hard to accept that we are like many of these people, that we hurt the Lord by our actions. But it's important to remember that while we are not perfect, we are not totally imperfect either. It gives me hope to see myself in some of the other witnesses as well. Maybe we are like:

Simon - Yes, at first reluctant to carry the cross, but picking it up anyway; and certainly transformed by that journey to Golgotha and seeing a forgiving Christ praying and offering Himself for all...for you.

Veronica - When we see Jesus in the poor, the weak, the innocent yet condemned of the world; and we don't just stand by...we act!

Mary - When we love our children so much; knowing that they are really a part of us; feeling, really feeling the pain that they suffer; wishing that we could make the hurt go away....submitting to the Will of God, no matter how painful.

The penitent thief - When we accept what we truly deserve but find the Grace and the courage to rely on Divine Mercy...and receive it!
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Holy Week: That Should Be Me

It's Holy Week, and as I stated last Friday, my posts this week have been about the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the witnesses.

Haven't been following?

Click here for Monday's post
Click here for Tuesday's post
Click here for Wednesday's post
Click here for Thursday's post

Dirty Duty Against the Divine

You've served in these crucifixion details before. So many, in fact, that you've lost count long ago. It's dirty duty....and you've loved every minute of it. After all, the scum you've been assigned to help execute are never real people. Roman citizens are above such a thing. No, this type of death is reserved for the lowest of the low, and they deserve everything you can dish out. And since you've been given command, become centurion , well, by your word, your men have dished out quite a bit.

Today's detail began like any other, although it was disappointing that there were only three to "take care of" this time. Well, you would just make sure that they received "extra attention" along the way.

However, one of these wretches was a little different. At first sight, you really didn't think he'd make it the quarter mile or so to Calvary. Those fools who scourged him had gone too far, and you hoped they didn't ruin it for you and your men. That would be too bad since this one thinks he's a king. The governor's official charge to be hung over his head reads "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

Your men have learned well from you. In fact, after all of these years, you think they may have surpassed you in the level of punishment they deal out. You're not getting soft though. It's just that some of your men don't think clearly as they beat on the convicted and anyone who even thinks about interfering.

Like with this Jesus, you have to keep reminding them not to kill him too early. "Do you want to spoil the best part?" you ask, "He's practically crawling already!" 

He's no sooner moving before he's down again. You know he'll never make it, so you grab someone from the crowd and force him to help carry the cross.

Why Me?

You can't believe it! Why does this always happen to you? You are always in the wrong place at the wrong time. You don't deserve this. You have been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with your boy. Now, the Roman centurion has forced you to carry a cross. Unbelievable!

The blood! You will be defiled by coming into contact with even a drop of blood. And that crossbeam is covered with blood. You wonder how this Jesus is even still alive....but only for a moment before you start wondering again how you always get into these messes.

The soldiers have no trouble pushing you around along the way. Thankfully, there is not much farther to go. You think you see Golgotha  but you're not certain. The blood from the crossbeam, from Jesus, has somehow covered your own face and, coupled with your own sweat, is now blurring your vision.

Finally you arrive, and you want to run away and clean yourself as quickly as possible, but you can't turn away now. You have heard Jesus praying as he neared the place that will be the end of him. Praying, not for himself, but for others....for those who showed him compassion....and those that spit on him. He prayed for those vile soldiers....and he prayed for you...by name. No, you have to see this to completion now. 

As you watch, you begin to pray for him......

That Should Be Me

"That could be me.....that should be me." is all that keeps racing through your mind as you've followed Jesus to Golgotha. While you wanted to just get away....get away before they changed their minds.

You still can't believe they chose you, Barabbas, over Jesus. And curiosity  in part, has driven you to follow. But only at first. Now, the drive to watch was something beyond curiosity, but you're still not sure what.

"That could be me.....that should be me."

The Roman soldiers don't waste any time when they get him there. They scurry away some poor fool who was forced to carry Jesus's cross. They give him a couple of "licks" for good measure. Simon, you think you heard them call him.

They rip off the clothes that Jesus has been wearing. Those wounds from the scourging had become adhered to his clothes, and now the wounds were all freshly opened again. It's not good enough for those Romans to crucify us Jews. They strip us naked, knowing how humiliating that is to Jewish men.

"That could be me.....that should be me."

They handle Jesus so roughly as they pull his arms out of their sockets to avoid the reflex action that would happen when they nail him to the cross.

"That could be me.....that should be me."

What is he saying? Abba? Yes, Abba. Why is he calling on his father like a child? Daddy

"Daddy, forgive them. They know not what they do." He says this over and over as they drive the nails deeper.

They're raising him up now, nailing his feet. He continues to forgive. The soldiers don't stop.

Jesus begins the agony of pulling himself up to be able to draw a breath, then letting himself down to be able to exhale. When he can't do this any longer, he will die from asphyxiation. What a terrible thing to experience.

"That could be me.....that should be me."

The soldiers are gambling for his robe.

His mother is there, and a few others who are weeping.

But the Jewish elders are still mocking him, and so are the Romans.

The elders are mad at the inscription on the placard above Jesus's head, but the Romans just laugh at them.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” - Matthew 27: 45-54

Holy Week: Via Dolorosa

Come, all who pass by the way, pay attention and see: Is there any pain like my pain, which has been ruthlessly inflicted upon me - Lamentations 1 :12

Back on that retreat many years ago, it was proposed that Barabbas, curious as to the fate of the one taking his place, followed Jesus on the road to Calvary. My own human inclinations tell me that this is quite likely.

If you were Barabbas, would you have followed? If you did, what would you have seen?

There stands....barely.....Jesus; severely beaten from a scourging meant to bring him to the brink of death, covered with dirt, blood, and spit; a "crown" of thorns...large thorns...piercing his head and brow; eyes and face swollen, hardly recognizable.

The Roman soldiers continue to push him around, laugh at him, slap him, and mock him. 

They place the heavy crossbeam on his shoulders and give him a shove in the direction they want him to go.

If Barabbas was watching, I'm sure he was thinking "That could be me.....that should be me."

Just a Man and His Boy and a Lamb

You're nearing Jerusalem. What a great day as you travel with your young son, telling him about the great things God has done for His people....just as your father did with you when you were a young boy. 

Your son is so full of life....and questions too, as he asks "Abba, what will it be like? What will we see?"

Abba....how you love hearing him call you that....Daddy. He won't be calling you that much longer, as only little children use that term of endearment to their fathers. He is beginning to grow up, to become more responsible, and that's why you have put him in charge of the sacrificial lamb. "Keep your eye on the lamb my son" you remind him as the two of you walk along.

But as you near the city, you do not hear festive voices, but angry ones. You do not hear festive music, but shouting and cursing. What can this mean? What is all of this about?

You press your way through the crowd and cannot believe your eyes. Why today, of all days, are the Romans sending men to their death?

The first one approaches, begging for mercy, asking the crowd to take pity on him. They in turn laugh at him and shout all the louder.

The second one is coming now...and far from begging for anything, he is the one jeering at the crowd, cursing, and spitting at them. He cannot pass quickly enough.

And just as he does pass, the soldiers are stopping him and the first one too. Why are they stopping? Go already! Get on with it! Leave us so we can celebrate our feast!

Women, Woa Man, Woe Men, and WOMAN

You really can't believe this is happening. They're going to kill Jesus! Isn't this mob made up of many of the same people you saw shouting "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord?" The words they are using now are obscene and offensive, not words meant for a young girl to hear.

So you move closer to that group of women, hoping the crowd will have a little more respect around them.....they don't.

"Look! There he is!" you hear someone say.

There is a short pause of disbelief coupled with some gasps. For many, this is the first time they have seen him since yesterday or more. He's been beaten so badly...you can see drops of blood falling to the ground.

Suddenly, the women you are near begin to wail loudly As Jesus nears them, he finds the strength to tell them not to cry for him but for their children. He says a few other things you can't quite make out, and as the soldiers shove him along and hit him, you watch as Jesus falls to the ground, the weight of the cross falling upon him...driving him to the dirt.

The soldiers begin to argue among themselves. One of them is admonishing the others for hitting Jesus. He's not being compassionate though. He says they'll ruin "the fun" if Jesus dies before they get to crucify him. "He's practically crawling already, you fools!" you hear him say.

You seize the opportunity and run to Jesus....wiping his face with your rag....and the Author of Salvation is looking into your eyes.

You hear your mother screaming at you. "Veronica! Veronica! Get away from there!" Just then, one of the soldiers notices you, and makes a violent move toward you. A woman rushes in and pulls you away.

The soldier is cursing at you, while that same woman is now crying over Jesus....on her knees over him...sheltering him. He's saying something to her, but you can't make it out.

Another soldier moves towards her as a man pulls her away and she cries "Jesus!"

He responds, "Mother....."

You look at the rag you used to wipe his face. His image remains.

Just a Man and His Boy and THE LAMB

Why are they stopping? Go already! Get on with it! Leave us so we can celebrate our feast!

Oh...there's another one just over there. He's on the ground. Just a few yards from you. 

There's a girl wiping his face; they chase her away. A woman crying, screaming as if she were the one being beaten and led to death. She's rescued by another man as a soldier moves in on her. "Jesus!" You hear the woman scream. So, his name is Jesus.

The soldiers get this Jesus to his feet, and the procession begins again. He stumbles and falls....in front of you.

You son rushes from behind you to see what's going on. You don't want him to see such brutal reality and reach out to restrain him. Just then one of the soldiers detects your movement.

"You! Come here!" he screams.

"I'm just trying to walk away with my boy" you try to reason with him.

"No! You come here!" he insists, and places his hand on his sword to make sure you know he means business. He asks your name. You wonder if you should give him an alias, but decide it could mean further trouble for you, so you give him your name.

"Attention! Attention!" he announces to the crowd and the rest of the detail. 

"You! Simon of Cyrene........help him carry his cross!"
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It's Holy Week, and as I stated last Friday, my posts this week will be about the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the witnesses.

Let's make the journey together. Along the way, I hope we are asking ourselves some tough questions. Who are you in the Passion of the Christ?

Click here for Monday's post
Click here for Tuesday's post
Click here for Wednesday's post

Holy Week: Trading Places and Mad Faces

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” - John 19: 1-5

The Innocence Slips Away

After the scourging that Jesus endured, Pilate again confirms his belief in Jesus's innocence. Pilate seems to hope that the Jewish leaders will be satisfied to see Jesus in this condition.

He is wrong.

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?” - Matthew 27: 15-17

Available Light

The place you are in is dark...damp...cold...and smells. You can't remember how long you've been here. You only know that when you leave this place, it will be to die.

Perhaps today will be that day.

They grab you!.......drag you along the way, up some steps...into the bright and piercing morning light. You struggle to regain your senses as you hear the sound of a large crowd.

They seem angry.

They are shouting.

So many angry voices, you cannot make out what they are shouting. What is going on?

Oh........it's Pilate. You're standing in front of Pilate.

So, this is it after all. Today is the day you're going to die.

Ghost of a Chance

Pilate speaks:

“Which one do you want me to release to you...........Barabbas....."

Wait! Did he just ask about releasing someone, and then mention your name as a choice? He did!

Maybe they will pick you!

"Maybe they will pick me! Please choose me!" must have been racing through the mind of Barabbas.

But those hope must have faded quickly as Pilate announced:

"......or Jesus called Messiah?”

If Barabbas had heard anything of Jesus, and he probably did, he would certainly have thought his days were over.

"Jesus. The one people have been talking about? The one who makes the deaf hear....the blind see...the lame walk? The one I've heard has even brought people back....from the dead?"

"Today IS the day I'm going to die."

Nobody's Hero

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” - Mark 15: 11-14

What must have been going through Barabbas's mind, knowing that Jesus was about to take his place on the cross?

And I wonder what Pilate was thinking as well. In John's Gospel, even after Barabbas is released, Pilate is still trying to free Jesus. But Pilate has a weakness, and the Jewish leaders know it....Caeser.

Power Windows

Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” - John 19:12

Now that was just too much for Pilate. The not-so-veiled threat there was that it would get back to Caser that Pilate allowed a man who claimed to be rival to Caeser live. Perhaps Pilate would lose his own power. Perhaps it would mean even death for Pilate.

The Larger Bowl

When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” - Matthew 27: 24, 25

Thank you Jesus, your Blood IS upon us and our children.

Back on that retreat many years ago, it was proposed that Barabbas, curious as to the fate of the one taking his place, followed Jesus on the road to Calvary. My own human inclinations tell me that this is quite likely.

If you were Barabbas, would you have followed? If you did, what would you have seen?

Tomorrow............
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It's Holy Week, and as I stated last Friday, my posts this week will be about the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the witnesses.

Let's make the journey together. Along the way, I hope we are asking ourselves some tough questions. Who are you in the Passion of the Christ?

Click here for Monday's post
Click here for Tuesday's post

Holy Week: Change, Magic, and Tradition

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” -Matthew 26: 65, 66

We Need Change

In this illegal night trial, the the high priest and the Sanhedrin condemn Jesus to death for blasphemy. But they have a dilemma  They are an occupied nation. They cannot legally put someone to death. (John 18: 31) And while they may be able to get away with it with some little-known offender, this is not the case with Jesus.

And those Romans are not concerned with their religious charges. Rome could care less about blasphemy against the Jewish God.

So they conspire and hatch a plan. Notice, as they bring Jesus before Pilate, the charges against him are changed.

They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.” - Luke 23: 2

So the religious charge of blasphemy has been transformed to criminal charges of treason and tax evasion.

So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” - John 13: 37, 38

Pilate is blinded by the harsh realities of his assignment in such a region with inhabitants that he despises. So blinded that he cannot recognize the Truth, even as it stands in front of him.

Yet, Pilate does not seem eager to do with Jesus as his accusers have asked, and decides to send him to Herod.

He's a Magic Man

Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. - Luke 23: 8

But Herod, unable to get Jesus to do some magic trick for him, or even to get Jesus to speak for that matter, quickly grows tired of him.

Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. - Luke 23: 11

Maybe Tradition is Wrong

Pilate was probably not happy to see Jesus return to him. Now, it may not have been out of the goodness of his heart mind you. Scripture says that Pilate knew it was "out of envy that they had handed Him over." (Matthew 27: 18)  Maybe he just wanted to make the Jewish elders mad. Maybe he was afraid after his wife told him of the dream she had, urging him to leave Jesus alone.

Whatever the case was, there is a revealing verse in one of the Gospel accounts.

Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” - Luke 23: 13-16

It has been my understanding that when a person was crucified, they received, along with that sentence, a sentence of "40 lashes." And, in keeping with Roman law so as not to enact a greater punishment than that which was imposed, there would be an instruction of "less one" in case there was a miscount.

Those who know me, know that I love history and tradition. We have a tradition that says that Jesus was scourged 39 times. But those words of Pilate seem to indicate a different type of punishment. "I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

"And then release him."

"And then release him."

"And then release him."

What is the significance of this? It would seem to indicate that the type of scourging Jesus received was different from that of others sentenced to crucifixion. Different...worse.

While I am not an expert and do not purport my theory on this to be historical fact, it would seem consistent with some of the other facts, evidence if you will. For instance; Jesus needing help to carry the cross, and Pilate being "amazed" to learn that Jesus "was already dead." (Apparently, it was not unusual for some to live for days after crucifixion.)

I believe that in this case, our tradition is inaccurate.

When someone was sentenced to be scourged, as it seems was the case with Jesus, the job of the Roman torturers was to bring the person as close to death as possible...but not quite killing him. This would certainly explain Jesus's extraordinarily weakened condition.

The "tools of the trade" were pretty horrifying in themselves. The torturers used a "cat of nine tails"; a rod with nine straps of leather, each strap with multiple pieces of jagged bone or metal affixed to them. The torturers would give the convicted "a lash", which means these nine straps of leather would adhere to the skin in multiple locations.

So, if there were four or five pieces of bone or metal on each strap, then each "lash" consisted of 36 to 45 of these "adhesions". And then the torturer would yank back on the rod, ripping away pieces of flesh.

Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. - Isaiah 53: 5

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It's Holy Week, and as I stated last Friday, my posts this week will be about the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the witnesses.

Let's make the journey together. Along the way, I hope we are asking ourselves some tough questions. Who are you in the Passion of the Christ?

Click here for Monday's post

Here's a glimpse at tomorrow:

The place you are in is dark...damp...cold...and smells. You can't remember how long you've been here. You only know that when you leave this place, it will be to die. Perhaps today will be the day.

They grab you...drag you along the way, up some steps...into the bright and piercing morning light. You struggle to regain your senses as you hear the sound of a large crowd. They seem angry. They are shouting. So many angry voices, you cannot make out what they are shouting.

Oh...it's Pilate. You're standing in front of Pilate. So, this is it after all. Today is the day you're going to die.

Holy Week: With friends like these.....

It's Holy Week, and as I stated last Friday, my posts this week will be about the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the witnesses.

Let's make the journey together. Along the way, I hope we are asking ourselves some tough questions. Who are you in the Passion of the Christ?

Passover

It's Passover. You've shared in this meal as long as you can remember, and you know well the text of the Haggadah.

Tonight is different though. There are so many things going through your head during the recital of the kiddush;

"And on the seventh day God completed the labor He had performed, and He refrained on the seventh day from all the labor......" (from the kiddush)

Being with Jesus these past several years has been a special, yet turbulent time for you. There have been so many people that have wanted to be close to Him as you have been; to hear the things that He has told you in private, along with the other eleven. And you've witnessed so many miracles, things which just cannot be explained.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and....." (from the kiddush)

How convinced you have been that Jesus is the Messiah! How excited you have been that your people would soon be freed from their captors, prisoners no longer!

But when!? This message of love and forgiveness, what does it all mean in the Messianic Kingdom? How does it fit in? If only He would stand up and lead us in the fight......

Ah, we've reached the Karpas, the dipping of the Karpas in saltwater.

Jesus is saying something as you think back to your childhood.

You remember as a child how this strange act made you wonder, caused you to ask what this was about.

Jesus hands the Karpas to you.

Why are they looking at you? What is this silence?

Until Jesus speakes to you;

“What you are going to do, do quickly.” - John 13; 27

...Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. - John 13; 21-26

A Trial....at Night?

What is this about!? Things are happening quickly. Jesus has been taken to the high priest?

You make your way along with a friend, past the gate, and find a seat. Why did the temple guard strike Jesus?

You have to get closer to hear what's going on, but a woman is bothering you. She just needs to go away!

Finally, you reach a position to hear. There is testimony being given to the Sanhedrin? No, they are not even supposed to gather at night!

You can't believe the things they are saying about Jesus. Now this girl is bugging you.

You watch, terrified, as the high priest tears his robes, and your friend Jesus is beaten, spat upon, ridiculed, and mocked.

Why do these other people keep harassing you? "No!!!! Go away!!!!"

A cock crows.........

Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” - Matthew 26: 34, 35

Who are YOU in the Passion of the Christ?

It's hard to believe that next week begins Holy Week, but it really is upon us. During Holy Week of the past 8 years or so, I have had different experiences which I try to build on. But when I think about Holy Week, I always draw from an experience many years ago.

When I was a Junior in high school, I went on a retreat directed by the Religious Education Office of my school. During that retreat, my Religion teacher shared with us the story of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Up to that presentation, I really did not want to be there, and when the presentation began I thought there really wasn't anything he could say that would be a "learning experience" for me. Boy, was I wrong.

During the next several days, I am going to blog about much of what I heard during that retreat so I'm not going to spoil it here. What I will say is that there are 2 very distinct "pieces" that are of particular help to me these days.

One is the reality of what a crucifixion was really like, what Jesus suffered. I have to say that the movie "The Passion of the Christ" most closely captures the images of what I have come to believe a crucifixion really was, but I don't think a film can ever really capture and convey all of such a horrible experience. Additionally, the experience of Jesus was of course unique, and I will leave it at that for now.

The second piece of this is found within the my teacher's telling of the experience itself, but through the eyes of Barabbas, and his revealing that in a certain way, we are all Barabbas. It made a difference.

I have since come to experience and re-experience Holy Week through the eyes of multiple people, "players" if you will, who were involved to varying degrees of Jesus's Passion and death.

Jesus once asked, "Who do you say that I am?" I hope you follow the posts this coming week, and I hope they have you asking yourself, "Who do I say that I am in the Passion of Christ?"

Pope Francis and Works of Mercy

Most Catholic children are taught to some degree or another about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Unfortunately, as with many other "lessons", there has been a disconnect of the matter at hand and the reasoning and/or benefits of such.

There is certainly not enough space or time in this little blog to give  a complete catechetical explanation, nor am I fully equipped to present such even if there were. However, I think it is helpful to point out that the exterior act of these works are initiated from the interior, from the Christian heart, always experiencing continuing conversion.

As the Christian continues on the path of conversion, he sees the world more and more through the eyes of God; a world in desperate need of God's mercy and love. How is the world to experience God's mercy and love if not through us?

Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear "man" - this is what God has made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. . . . When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light - St. Augustine

Here's a look at the works of mercy.

Corporal works of mercy:

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead.

Spiritual works of mercy: 

• Admonish the sinner
• Instruct the ignorant
• Counsel the doubtful
• Comfort the sorrowful
• Bear wrongs patiently
• Forgive offences willingly
• Pray for the living and the dead.

I have come to serve.

Pope Francis will be celebrating Holy Thursday Mass with the imprisoned at a juvenile detention center. Apparently, it has been his custom as Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass in prisons, hospitals, etc.


 

Viva la Vida: What's in a Name?

I was 19 years old, and working as a Merchandiser in the New Orleans metropolitan area. On this particular day, I was servicing a grocery store in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans, when a lady employee of the grocery store approached me.

"Somebody told me you're name is Vogt. Is that right?" I stopped for a moment to affirm that her "source" was correct. She began to probe a bit more, asking if my father had been a policeman. I was hoping that this poor woman didn't have a questionable past. "Yes, and so was my grandfather and my great grandfather." I replied. After a few more questions, we established that it was my grandfather she was inquiring about. And when I mentioned the name of the only partner of his that I was aware of, I saw her face light up.

She smiled really big, revealing a couple of missing teeth, thrust her arm up and then down while simultaneously stomping her foot on the ground, "I knew it! I knew it! Vogt and Viguerie! Vogt and Viguerie! We never had to worry about the neighborhood with those two around!"

I was already accustomed to hearing good things connected to my paternal surname, as I had been told repeatedly by those who knew my father (most of them police officers themselves) of his unsurpassed honesty and integrity.

While I have asked my own children to respect their last name, I really don't recall my father making the same request. I learned more through examples. There are many times during my life that I have made certain decisions for the better simply because of the pride I had in my last name...or fear for what I thought might happen if I did something to tarnish it. Oh, I have not lived a saintly life and have made many choices which do not "live up" to such high praises, but I'm sure that I would have turned out much worse without these "lessons".

There's a lesson here for Christians too. We bear the name of Jesus everywhere we go. We've not always done a great job of living up to the Name, have we? But yet, the truths of Love, Mercy, Justice, and everything that is of God still remain in the Name. Let's work harder to be better witnesses to others in the Name of Jesus, keeping in mind that it is the Name above all names.

Today, March 19, is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. My grandfather passed away 31 years ago today. To this day, his was the longest funeral procession I have ever personally witnessed; a testament to the name.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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Viva la Vida (Live Life) is a running series of posts about my life experiences, meant to help me reflect on the "why's?" of who I am becoming through my ongoing conversion. It won't be chronological or all-inclusive, and I'll be careful not to indict anyone else (too much).

Related posts:
A Glimpse
Tribute to a man I never knew

Lent: Beyond Requirement to the Open Arms of Jesus

Last month I started a Friday series about the reasons we abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. The point was to just point out the very basics and to give us something deeper to contemplate.

We are nearing the completion of our Lenten journey, and I think there's plenty of material to think about, so let's just re-visit the basics of the series. I've linked the titles back to each post as well.

What Do You Mean You Don't Eat No Meat During Lent!?

In the simplest sense, abstaining from meat is a very small SACRIFICE which reminds us of THE sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Where's the Beef?

Abstaining from meat is a form of PENANCE While abstaining is a reminder to us of the need for penance in our lives, ultimately Jesus calls us to penance which is prompted by, preceded by the interior conversion. Rightly ordered, it is the interior which prompts the exterior.

Feasting on Simplicity

Abstaining from meat is a way to practice SIMPLICITY. Properly approached, abstaining from meat should be offered along with contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer focuses our attention on Heavenly things, fixing our eyes, our hearts on Jesus so that we can hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Assessing Ascesis

Abstaining from meat is a way to practice ASCETICISM. It's true that the Church has put a requirement upon us during Lent. However, as previously stated, it is not intended to impose authority upon us, but to help us to ascend to this higher good, to choose to go beyond requirement and to choose for one's self.

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In all of these instances that I have been writing about, we are practicing something, and practice is a good word here. We are practicing something, learning that there is a deeper meaning to what we are doing. We should be recognizing that abstaining from meat is a simple way toward understanding how to direct other things in our lives, other actions, even our very selves toward God. 

A Quick One on Pope Francis

I'm away today (back in Louisiana) through tomorrow, so I can't possibly post everything that I would like to about our new pope, but want to share a quick thought.

There's been a lot of discussion already about the many surprises regarding the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires to pope. The biggest surprise to me is his selection of the name Francis.

It signals to me that Pope Francis recognizes there is much work to be done in the Church, and a rebuilding effort is needed.

I've seen some commentary that speculates the name is also a call to those outside of the Church. Well, that may well be, but I believe that it says we must start from within. And not just within the Church, but within our own hearts first.

We'll see, but for now, I've enjoyed hearing about Francis taking the bus instead of the papal transportation, and this account from Raymond Arroyo, and I especially like this look at what we might expect from Pope Francis.

Oh, and then there is THIS MOMENT:

A Visual on the Conclave

As the conclave begins, this is a bad time for me to have my desk top computer die, but that's exactly what has happened.

So here is my brief post. Thanks to Fr. Carlos Martins for sharing this:

Lent: Assessing Ascesis

Have you ever heard the expression "Practice makes perfect?"

As we continue this look at why we abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent, I hope that it is becoming clear that it is much less about rules and impositions and much more about learning how we can enhance and grow our relationship with God.

Again, these posts are not intended to be all-inclusive, so I hope you'll take time to do some additional research of each of the topics.

So far, we've looked at the connections to (or directions toward) sacrifice, penance, and simplicity. 

Abstaining from meat is a way to practice ASCETICISM

A discussion about ascesis should begin with the word "freedom". We can and often do have a distorted view of freedom. True freedom, "free will" has been given to us by God. We have the ability to choose to do right or wrong, even to accept or reject the One who gives us the ability to choose.  

Fine, but what does this have to do with not eating meat?

It's true that the Church has put a requirement upon us during Lent. However, as previously stated, it is not intended to impose authority upon us, but to help us to ascend to this higher good, to choose to go beyond requirement and to choose for one's self.

In all of these instances that I have been writing about, we are practicing something, and practice is a good word here. We are practicing something, learning that there is a deeper meaning to what we are doing. We should be recognizing that abstaining from meat is a simple way toward understanding how to direct other things in our lives, other actions, even our very selves toward God. 

Ascesis is self-denial and self-restraint. It calls for the use of free will to choose for one's self to deny one's self or to restrain one's self. The Christian, recognizing that all he is and has is a gift from God and desires to respond to God (the action of faith itself) by offering himself back to God.

Christians have the example given us by God through the life of Jesus who lived, by choice, a life of self-denial. In fact, Jesus demands of anyone who would dare to call himself a follower of Christ to 

"deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

The cross, the ultimate act of self-denial. 

The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes - Catechism 2015

By practicing an act which directs us toward ascesis, we move to ascesis itself, and thus a strengthened relationship with God.

Practice makes perfect.

27 Years of Fatherhood, Learning

After Joel's First Communion with Amanda and Michael

My oldest child, Joel, turns 27 today. As I'm sure is the case with most (all maybe?) father-son relationships, the circumstances of such have not always been the best. However, for quite a few years now, I would say that our relationship is mostly outstanding.

Through a lot of hard work, Joel has become quite successful as a manger for his employer, and I am always pleased to hear him talk about his honest concern for those that work for him and with him. He has high ethical standards and business practices that have helped him gain recognition throughout his company.

More than that though, Joel is a loving husband and father. When he and his family visit, it is so obvious, but it's really just as obvious in his voice when we talk about them during our now-frequent phone conversations. Joel seems to be doing a much better job of balancing family life than I ever did.

I've learned lots of lessons through my relationship with Joel. One of those is that people often have different perceptions about the same "events" in life, and it's not likely that either will be successful in persuading the other to their "side", especially if they're father and son. The greatest benefit of that lesson though, is that if both parties accept that truth and are able to do their best to understand the other's position (or perception), then the "differences" between them can actually strengthen not only that relationship, but potentially those with others as well. I'm pretty strong-headed, but am working hard on this.

I could write quite a bit more about these things, but what's most important is to say that as a father, a husband, and a man, I am proud to say that I admire Joel, and there are many qualities about him that I aspire to.

Happy birthday Joel. I love you son.
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Here's a link to Joel's own birthday post today.

Lent: Feasting on Simplicity

There was a time when I lived in Louisiana that Fridays during Lent were the best days of the year. Oh, I'd like to say that it was because I did a great job working on my relationship with God, but I've been very honest about my short-comings while writing this blog and will continue to do so. No, it was because it was a great time for......crawfish!

Here in North Texas, crawfish are harder to come by; a lot harder! There are some local restaurants who offer boiled crawfish, but most don't have a clue about the proper way to season them. There's at least one that I know of that boils the crawfish in plain water and then sprinkles creole seasoning over the shells.

(You have GOT to be kidding me!) 

There's a few that know what they're doing (and for those in the North Texas area, here's a link to my favorite local authentic Louisiana eatery) but the cost prevents me from being able to buy more than a few pounds. So, once or twice during the year, I purchase some live crawfish and boil them myself.

But back in South Louisiana, the availability of those tasty mudbugs makes them much more affordable. I'm now wondering why am I doing this to myself, and I guess you're wondering where I'm going with this.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I decided to blog about why we abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. In that first post, I wrote about sacrifice. In last week's post, I wrote about penance.

Today is Saturday, and since I was too busy to blog yesterday, I owe you a post.

Abstaining from meat is a way to practice SIMPLICITY

God, by humbling Himself and becoming man, has given us a true example of living. Jesus, born in poverty, lived a life of simplicity and offered His very life for us on the cross, telling us

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

Gorging on those crawfish was certainly not an example of this, was contrary to the spirit of the action of abstaining, and gave a terrible witness (one of gluttony in fact) to others as to the purpose of abstaining.

Properly approached, abstaining from meat should be offered along with contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer focuses our attention on Heavenly things, fixing our eyes, our hearts on Jesus so that we can hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

When we do this, we learn where our true treasure lies and learn the value of simplicity.