Wednesday of Holy Week
Recently, I was able to watch a movie called “The Lucky One,” based on a Nicholas Sparks book of the same name. While the movie is not perfect, I was glad to have watched it, especially in light of today’s first reading. The movie starts out with the main character Logan in a firefight in Afghanistan. In the very next scene he is resting, contemplating the night before when he spies a picture laying on a rock about twenty yards away. He goes to pick up the picture laying and a small missile kills everyone where he was just standing. The long and the short of it is he is grateful for life. This remains his attitude even when people who dislike him confront and challenge his dignity. Despite these buffets Logan responds to the irrational with charity.
This story of confidence and charity in the face of scorn and danger was inspiring to me. He shared with a child that he does not worry about danger in war because his brothers had his back. In trusting that the Lord has one’s back, one can walk forward with confidence that can inspire even through the toughest buffeting. Bearing insult for the sake of the Gospel is the least of what we can to do to honor God’s great love for us.
While today’s readings might inspire us to honor God, they also challenge us to remember that not everything we do is inspired or honors God. Today is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday.” This name indicates the day when Judas Iscariot, a member of Jesus’ inner circle, first conspires with the chief priests against Jesus. What are the uninspired, dishonorable ways in which we act? What are the ways we believe we know justice and judgment better than God? Often we believe we are justified in our bad behavior because we are confident in righteous indignation. Certainly Judas believed his betrayal was the right course of action.
This gospel exemplifies how Jesus acted in the midst of betrayal. While Jesus communicates his distress at the pending treachery, he takes to admonishing his friend who has become his enemy. In fact other than that admonishment, Jesus still allows the unfaithful disciple to follow his own personal will. Jesus of course allows us to follow our own will, even as the Our Father prayer reminds us otherwise. Often we fail to recognize Christ in ourselves, in our families, in our neighbors and in our co-workers.
"Lord, when we are convinced our bad behavior is justified, admonish our blamelessness. You alone are without blemish. You alone are righteous. Help transform our hearts, minds and actions, so that we… Glorify You with our lives. Amen!"
-Michael Montgomery