How much of the news we see on tv or read in the papers is bad news? Sensationalistic, blood and guts journalism that scares us back to the comfort of our own homes, or it is just so much doom and gloom that we feel helpless in the face of a great and looming darkness that threatens to envelop the world? Scandals and brutality, how much of the news has us jabbering knee-jerk opinions or parroting the opionions of others? Micro-fiber and satellite broadcasting bring the grief and suffering of those on the other side of the planet into our lives; horrid, yes, but 'what am i supposed to do about it?' now?
The apostles are hauled up before their peers and interrogated and threatened and commanded not to speak of that which has changed their lives forever. The majesty of Jesus' presence seems to be on the brink of sliding back into the days of hopelessness and suffering that were ordinary life under earthly kings and oppressive laws. The disciples of the Christ are wandering about, questioning his deeds and methods and wisdom. In shock, they see him, yet do not recognise him.
Yet their hearts burn with his passion, the very same Truth that attracted them, held them and taught them to stand up after they fell and fell again. This same Truth now empowers simple fishermen to stand before the illustrious high priests of their Jewish heritage, to praise the greatness of the Christ and to say 'no'. Human eyes need light to see, in darkness we are blind. So too, we need Love, faith and hope and charity, to do good and to be free. As anyone who has ever loved knows, ones heart feels as if the body is too small to contain it. So too, the apostles, cannot be silent. The Truth fills them. Their old reality seems to have fallen away for good; there is no going back. They know only one God, His Christ, who now fills them with a Truth so great and so profound that silence is impossible, because sharing this Truth and having others be freed from the chains of their lesser truth and daily suffering, is goodness, is Love. Nothing else matters. Nothing else is worthy of concern.
The high priests can't see this, as they still only fear for their own personal positions in the lesser reality that is all they know. The news we watch on tv or read about in the papers today more often than not keeps us tied to fear and insecurity. Suffering will always be among us ... if you see it that way. Is the gospel threatening? It should be! Is the gospel challenging? Yes. Is it madness? It can look that way, certainly. Is it news-worthy? The apostles seem to think so. And though the text is dated and the setting ancient, the idea of Love here and now, ever present, inviting one to stand and join God in loving Creation, in conquering the hold of fear, the lie of separation and the false king of Self-interest, this good news simply cannot be contained! Once the Absolute Truth is glimpsed, tasted and embraced, any conventional reality seems to dry up, fade away and vanish in the morning sunlight as if it were an illusion. Simple fishermen stand as free men before the leaders of their day with the message that the Christ, killed and now resurrected, has come to free all men. Good news, indeed.
Drowning in negative media? Deafened by too much hot air and gossip? Blinded by manipulated images? This is the news of our conventional reality, a reality tied to suffering, a reality that needs suffering to justify itself and keep us locked in fear, isolation and powerlessness. The apostles now say, as Jesus had always said, let go of this reality and choose a new one. A greater reality. God's reality. A reality that does not deny suffering, but rather sees it from a different light and reaches out fearlessly to embrace, not exclude. 'What am i supposed to do about it?' i ask myself.
God knows.
Deo gratias.
The apostles are hauled up before their peers and interrogated and threatened and commanded not to speak of that which has changed their lives forever. The majesty of Jesus' presence seems to be on the brink of sliding back into the days of hopelessness and suffering that were ordinary life under earthly kings and oppressive laws. The disciples of the Christ are wandering about, questioning his deeds and methods and wisdom. In shock, they see him, yet do not recognise him.
Yet their hearts burn with his passion, the very same Truth that attracted them, held them and taught them to stand up after they fell and fell again. This same Truth now empowers simple fishermen to stand before the illustrious high priests of their Jewish heritage, to praise the greatness of the Christ and to say 'no'. Human eyes need light to see, in darkness we are blind. So too, we need Love, faith and hope and charity, to do good and to be free. As anyone who has ever loved knows, ones heart feels as if the body is too small to contain it. So too, the apostles, cannot be silent. The Truth fills them. Their old reality seems to have fallen away for good; there is no going back. They know only one God, His Christ, who now fills them with a Truth so great and so profound that silence is impossible, because sharing this Truth and having others be freed from the chains of their lesser truth and daily suffering, is goodness, is Love. Nothing else matters. Nothing else is worthy of concern.
The high priests can't see this, as they still only fear for their own personal positions in the lesser reality that is all they know. The news we watch on tv or read about in the papers today more often than not keeps us tied to fear and insecurity. Suffering will always be among us ... if you see it that way. Is the gospel threatening? It should be! Is the gospel challenging? Yes. Is it madness? It can look that way, certainly. Is it news-worthy? The apostles seem to think so. And though the text is dated and the setting ancient, the idea of Love here and now, ever present, inviting one to stand and join God in loving Creation, in conquering the hold of fear, the lie of separation and the false king of Self-interest, this good news simply cannot be contained! Once the Absolute Truth is glimpsed, tasted and embraced, any conventional reality seems to dry up, fade away and vanish in the morning sunlight as if it were an illusion. Simple fishermen stand as free men before the leaders of their day with the message that the Christ, killed and now resurrected, has come to free all men. Good news, indeed.
Drowning in negative media? Deafened by too much hot air and gossip? Blinded by manipulated images? This is the news of our conventional reality, a reality tied to suffering, a reality that needs suffering to justify itself and keep us locked in fear, isolation and powerlessness. The apostles now say, as Jesus had always said, let go of this reality and choose a new one. A greater reality. God's reality. A reality that does not deny suffering, but rather sees it from a different light and reaches out fearlessly to embrace, not exclude. 'What am i supposed to do about it?' i ask myself.
God knows.
Deo gratias.
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