Monday of Holy Week
The election of Pope Francis brought me great joy. Of all the wonderful attributes that he brings to the papacy, I believe that it is his humility and his call for justice which give me the greatest cause for hope. I think that the readings today speak of how we are all called to serve others humbly in order to achieve the justice that God calls us to bring to this world.
In the first reading, Isaiah tells of the “servant whom I uphold, my chosen one whom I am pleased.” (Is 42:1) It is this Servant who will bring forth justice, but doing it “without crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street.” (Is 42:2) As we enter Holy Week, this verse seems to describe Jesus as He quietly, humbly, yet with complete acceptance, brings about true justice through His passion, death and resurrection. Jesus gives Himself, even to the point of death, to achieve our salvation. The justice that He brings is for all people and all times. He offers Himself as the perfect Servant who gives totally and without reservation. And all that He does is done not out of duty, but out of great love for His Father and for us.
In this same reading, God calls us to follow Jesus in this “victory of justice.” God “who gives breath to its people, and spirit to those who walk in it” (Is 42: 5) invites us to be a “light for the nations.” Jesus shows us how we are to bring about that justice. Jesus dies on the cross for all people without exception. Like Him, we are called to deny ourselves and in humble service give to others the love and respect that each person deserves as a child of God. I believe that putting this into action requires that we see each person as an equal, and treat each person with dignity and acceptance. This requires a non-judgmental viewpoint of the other person, where we see beyond the external situation and see the person that God made in His image. When we love unconditionally- even those that we find difficult to love-we will be able to “open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.” (Is 42:7) Whether it is the difficult coworker, the homeless man on the street, or even a family member who has caused us much hurt, we must love unconditionally. We follow Jesus on the path of justice by putting to death our preconceived impressions and judgments, and allowing God’s Spirit to lead us to love and serve these individuals. If we are able to treat all people in this manner, then we can bring God’s kingdom (and its freedom and light) to the world.
In the Gospel reading, it is Martha and Mary that show us how to serve with humility. Jesus comes to dinner at their home. “Martha served” (Jn 12:2) those at table, and Mary “anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair.” (Jn 12:3) Each of these women in her own way gives of herself to humbly serve Jesus. They do not consider the cost (the nard was worth three hundred days wages), or the opinions of those at the table. They give and serve out of great love. As some of Jesus’ first followers, they illustrate their understanding of His call to lay down their lives for the benefit of others. As his current day disciples, we are called to serve in the same way. The “house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (Jn 12:3) when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet. If we can give of ourselves to others in loving service, the scent of our good works can fill our world with God’s justice.
As we walk with Jesus during Holy Week, hopefully we can reflect on His ways and learn from them. To think like Jesus, we must remove our judgmental thoughts even when those around us condemn and hate us. To talk like Jesus, we must speak out in love and peace, even when others offer only hatred and pain. To act like Jesus, we must act like Him by humbly accepting our role as servant to those around us, so that we can bring His justice to the world. Whether this means forgiving that family member who hurt you, or praying for the difficult coworker, or even just smiling and saying “hello” to the homeless man on the street- may God’s Spirit give us the courage and the grace to make it so.
Heavenly Father, as we celebrate Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, help us to recognize Jesus’ trust in You as He humbly gives Himself to bring justice for all people. Inspired by your Spirit, may our lives be like incense to You as we praise you by the way we love and serve all those around us. We pray in Christ’s name.
AMEN
Marylynn Herchline