Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
If you have ever perused writings on Benedictine Spirituality you may have come across this quote from St. Benedict: “Keep death always before your eyes.” This sounds very strange! In our society, death is often viewed as something to avoid, something to put off, or something to dread. Who would ever desire to keep their death in the forefront of their thinking? Even those of us who see ourselves as deeply committed disciples of Jesus must admit that death is not something we want keep foremost in our minds. I mean, Christ is all about resurrection and life and abundance and truth and goodness. But today’s readings turned out to be an invitation for me to reflect on how the living out of my life will look to me when I come face to face with death.
In the passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath and heals a woman crippled for 18 years. He is confronted by the leader of the synagogue for failing tofollow the rules concerning healing on the Sabbath. Jesus’s response is sharp; he calls them hypocrites and they are humiliated in the presence of the assembly. Jesus’ compassion and mercy cannot be reined in by rule or custom or the elders in a community. What took place in this particular scene is a holy, sacred encounter between Jesus and the afflicted woman. And so it is with each one of us when we approach Jesus. When we go to Jesus—one on one—there is no mediator and there are no rules. It is the most intimate encounter and it is the one relationship that will continue after we pass from this world.
In her wonderful commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, Esther de Waal says, “If death is the gateway to life with Christ, then daily I want to rejoice in that prospect.” So keeping in mind that we will eventually pass from this life into eternity with Jesus gives purpose and meaning to earthly life as no other truth can. It makes the daily encounter with Jesus ever more relevant and vital. What I do this day may be riddled with my failings, but as I labor and try to keep my eyes focused on the Jesus who embraces me right now in this this life, I can experience a foretaste of the joy and peace that awaits me after I pass from this life into the eternal embrace of my Savior. This day I pray I can embrace this particular grace so as to live more fully in life with Jesus.
--Gail Lyman