Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
“I have conquered the world.” John 16:33
In today's liturgy we walk again with Jesus and the disciples across the Kidron Valley, from the Upper Room to the Mount of Olives. We hear once more from the “Farewell Discourses,” last minute instructions before the events of Good Friday. Today's offering, found only in the Fourth Gospel, concludes with the reassurance from Jesus that he has “conquered the world.”
In history conquest almost always meant the shedding of blood. Putin's vile and barbaric attack on Ukraine is but the latest chapter. It involves the sword.
Three times Jesus is associated with the sword in the New Testament. In Matthew 10:34 he says that he has “come to bring a sword.” And twice in the Book of Revelation Jesus is depicted with this weapon protruding out of his mouth: in the inaugural vision (1:16) and while galloping on a war horse (19:15).
Jesus is set for battle and he invites his disciples to the fight. But what kind of battle and what kind of fight?
In centuries past there was great devotion to the “Arma Christi,” the weapons of Christ. These weapons of conquest were the instruments of the passion--- rope, flagellum, thorns, nails, cross, lance, pillar, sponge, pincers, hammer, and shroud. If there was blood to be shed in the conquest of the world, it was the blood of Christ himself, not his enemies.
Conquest suggests that someone or something is conquered. Throughout the Bible, Satan is called the ruler of the world. This diabolical reign spreads through weapons, too. These are unholy weapons--- deception, resentment, bitterness, revenge, hate, prejudice, injustice, dominance, lies, and oppression. The bloody flag of the dark Lord flutters by the winds of the “isms”: consumerism, sexism, ageism, racism, nationalism, secularism, fundamentalism, atheism, hedonism, egoism.
In our days the above diabolical weapons are alive and well. But I submit that the deadliest “ism” of our times is “narcissism.”
Widespread and malignant, the sword of narcissism slashes wide and deep---piercing into the heart of our discourse, our politics, our culture, our relationships, our well being. Power is more important than principle. “Right or Wrong” is now displaced with “Winning or Losing.” Many who claim to be believers in the Gospel espouse these ways--- an affront to the cross of Christ. Deep divisions have infiltrated families.
Being a “loser” is to be avoided no matter the cost—simply scapegoat and demonize the other. Slash and burn. Might makes right. “Truth” is false and “False” is truth. Reality is relative to my opinions, my needs, my expectations, my edification, and my advancement. There's only one question: “What's in it for me?”
Incivility rules. My “rights” empower me to say and do as I please no matter how incendiary or dehumanizing of the other. Rage rules. A friend who teaches at a prestigious university tells me that in all her 25 years she has never encountered students who are as incorrigible, spiteful and blatantly unkind as she has in recent years. A small newspaper in Michigan lamented the shortage of referees at high school games because of the increasing toxic venom spewing out of the spectator seats. Parents scream and yell at refs making $50 a game, modeling bad behavior for the young people who are on the field or in the stands. Mean-spiritedness abounds.
Lying is normative. Repeat a lie over and over again and eventually it will be become “fact.” Despots have known this throughout human history. They still do. After all, the ultimate enemy and director of the drama is the “Father of Lies.”
Our parents and grandparents are rightly labeled the “Greatest Generation.” Sacrifice was expected. It-was-simply-what-people-did, all for the greater good. The Great Depression and World War II elicited a self emptying light years beyond us. The notion that “it's all about ME” would have been foreign and anathema to them. There was no tolerance for whining or self pity. No patience for “fake” becoming “fact.” We truly were all in this together. No questions asked or protests made.
What's happened to us? What can we do?
Self sacrificial love is the only means of conquest acceptable to Christ and to we who claim his name---the “Arma Christi.” The cross is our stealth weapon forged in the powerful alloys of forgiveness, love, selflessness, justice, goodness, generosity, truth, out reach, reconciliation, kindness, and sacrifice. As Jesus assures us, “I have conquered the world.”
In the words of Ann Frank, “in the long run the sharpest weapon is a kind and loving spirit.” Or as Gandhi taught, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth has always won. There have been tyrants and, for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it---always.”
So as we walk yet again with Jesus and the disciples across the Kidron Valley, may we hear once more the final instructions of our Lord as he approaches his passion---the ultimate self-sacrifice. Listen carefully and intently. Hear his reassuring voice as he inspires, encourages, calms, and hastens us---
“I have conquered the world.”
Timothy J. Cronin