Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
“Then each went to his own house.” Although this is the last sentence in today’s gospel reading, it could be a headline for today’s news. This move to separate during Jesus’ time came from a place of division and judgment. As many of us ”go to our own house” to shelter in, our choice to distance ourselves from each other has a completely different viewpoint. As followers of Christ, our social isolation can reflect our awareness of the unity of all people, and our call to love each other even in the face of great suffering and loss.
In today’s gospel many different people who had seen Jesus, were in disagreement about who he was. Some thought he was the Christ, but others doubted that the Christ would come from Galilee. The guards were amazed by Jesus and what He said, while the Pharisees felt that the crowd was “accursed,” since they were not viewing Jesus as they did- through the eyes of the law. There was only one voice of reason- Nicodemus- who was able to stand back without judgment and openly invite others to come to know Jesus more fully. The disagreements among the many could not be settled, so in the end, “each went to his own house.” Our nation and world has experienced many issues that divide us because of our pre-judgment and lack of mercy. But Jesus calls us to a different life and a different world.
Although we are separated by our sheltering in place, our isolation emanates from our awareness that we are in fact very connected. Individually, we have recognized that our presence has a great impact on others. Suddenly, we are acutely aware that what happens far away- in other cities and countries- has a great impact on us. This connectedness is actually a blessing. Jesus prayed, “So that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.” (JN 17:1) This is Jesus’ desire- to bring all people to God. As we experience these times of great upheaval, hopefully it will transform our vision of the world. No longer will we see only our needs and concerns, but we will recognize that those suffering illness, natural disaster and injustice are connected to us. When they suffer, we also suffer, and as disciples of Jesus we are called to provide relief through prayer, financial support or physical support. We are all members of our global family, and united in Christ.
The separation in today’s gospel is based on judgment and fear. As we spend our days living in our own homes, I believe that we are living out our love for others. By distancing ourselves from others, we offer our love and respect to our neighbors both near and far. This love comes at great cost for many. Because of our commitment to shelter in, people have lost their jobs, schools have been closed, businesses have been shuttered, and the “normal” is no longer. Jesus offers the perfect example of loving others through sacrifice and suffering. Jesus shows us that love will overcome, and there will be resurrection through our dying. Fr. Richard Rohr shares this insight: “It’s as if God were holding up the crucifixion as a cosmic object lesson, saying:”I know this is what you’re experiencing. Don’t run from it. Learn from it, as I did. It will be your teacher. Rather than losing life, you will be gaining a larger life. It is the way through.” If we choose, we can allow our current experience to open our hearts and deepen our love for others and for God.
Finding hope in the midst of this pandemic can only be found in God. God is the source of our unity, since God is our creator. God is the source of our love. Today’s responsorial psalm expresses our need to cry out, “O, Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.” (Ps 7: 2) God alone can provide the wisdom, courage, mercy and comfort that we need to face the many challenges ahead. God is our source, but God invites as to participate with Him to be conduits of this grace to others. United through prayer, God sends us forth to bring love and mercy to all. In lives that are separated by space and time, God calls us to be creative in how we love. Phone calls, hangouts online, handwritten cards, dropping off groceries for those in need, giving financial support to others if possible, and loving and caring for those in our homes are some of the ways we are called to be the presence of Christ in these days of confinement. God does not cause pandemics, but God invites us to use these experiences to grow closer to Him and bring His presence to the world.
As we face the times ahead, may we find hope in our God who is the source of unity and love. Through our sufferings, may we be transformed to become radical loving disciples of Jesus. May we always recognize that although we are “in our own house,” we are never alone, since we are all members of the Body of Christ, and Christ is in our midst. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline