Rose Mary

Rose Mary

My teaching is not my own, but it comes from the one who sent Me – John 7:16

The Lenten season brings us into close reflection of the life of Jesus, and the deep meaning of His Passion and final crucifixion. He came in the role of a teacher, and for three years He taught in an open classroom. His students came from far and wide; there were no pre-conditions for enrolment. Everyone was invited to listen, learn and put His teachings into practice. His subject was, however, quite novel. Its focus was to lead His flock to a true experience of the Almighty, which, in turn, would result in an all-consuming desire for the kingdom of Heaven.

The New Testament tells us the story of this mission of Jesus in four versions, and the fifth version is presented through our own living experience. His first task was to choose His apostles, the ones to whom He would pass the baton. Soon after, He began His mission in earnest. The signs and miracles he performed attracted large numbers to Him. His fame spread far and wide as He healed the sick and exorcised evil spirits. All through, He taught them of a way of life that would allow the Word of God to take root in them and prepare them to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Twenty centuries have gone by, and, strangely enough, we share the same learning experiences as did His earliest followers. Each of us have stories to tell about the miracles that we have experienced, about how it helped us grow in faith and seek the Lord constantly for a variety of personal needs pertaining to relationships, finance, ill-health and so much more. His course plan was not exclusive to a particular country or era. It was timeless and was meant for humanity at large. Off and on, we come across some spot exams that measure the strength of our growing faith in the Lord. The Bible describes the one that Jesus subjected His disciples to, a mid-term surprise test to check how well they had assimilated the lessons He had taught. Jesus was at sea in a boat with His disciples when suddenly a storm came up. The waves dashed dangerously against its sides threatening to destroy the boat entirely and Jesus was sleeping calmly through it all. Unable to quell their anxiety, the apostles woke Him up in panic, frightened for their lives. Jesus calmed the storm— but they failed the test. Jesus was disappointed and asked them,” Why are you frightened? Have you still no faith?” We don’t have to think very hard to remember similar circumstances when we are torn apart by unprecedented misfortunes and we begin to lose faith and confidence in God. In spite of all this, He comes to our rescue and gives us another chance to renew our faith in Him and become worthy of the kingdom of God.

The first half of His course concludes here on the presumption that the Holy Spirit would have begun His work with each one of us. Till now the journey is easy and exciting, considering that we are witness to powerful signs and miracles and we learn from a Master about a way of life that is distinct and deeply fulfilling. The second half is more difficult. The signs and miracles are replaced by His call to bear our cross and follow Him. He invites us to come to Him for solace when we are burdened. He speaks of the kingdom of Heaven and its intrinsic worth. He also emphasizes, time and again, the omnipotence of His Father’s will which must be obeyed at all costs. In His concluding classes, He summarises all His teachings in a few short sentences ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and most important commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:27

The events of the Holy Week can be seen as a demonstration of these cornerstone commandments. The Last Supper is significant in many ways. By establishing the Holy Eucharistic celebration He removed the constraints of time and space eternally and brought us all together to Calvary where He gave up His life for us. Along with that, He entered into a solemn and deliberate illustration of the second of the two commandments showing us all how we were expected to love our neighbour. He washes the feet of His disciples, and clearly explains the purpose of His action-‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’ John 13:15

The demonstration of the first commandment came soon after, as Jesus and His disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane. The scene was spontaneous and unrehearsed. Jesus, crushed under the sorrow of His impending Passion and Death lays bare His soul and pleads with His Father to take the cup of suffering away. His sweat mingled with blood as the anguish within Him rose uncontrollably. The Father’s silence was uncompromising; this was His Will and plan to save mankind from the grip of the Evil One. In spite of everything, Jesus surrendered unconditionally to the Will of God.

In every Eucharistic celebration, we meet Him as our Shepherd who guides us with His teachings. We also see Him as the sacrificial lamb who was given up for us in accordance with the Divine Will of the Father. May this Lenten season help us to renew our faith in Christ and subject ourselves to the will of God especially when we traverse through life’s most difficult phases.