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| “Christ with the Chalice” by Juan de Juanes, 1560’s |
Commentary:
During the Fourth Week of Lent (especially in cycles B and C when the Gospel of the man born blind is not read on the Fourth Sunday of Lent) optional MassTexts are offered.
Reading 1: Jeremiah 11:18-20
Commentary on Jer 11:18-20
In this selection we hear the Prophet Jeremiah reflecting on a plot against his life. This first reflection, called a “confession,” borrowing from St. Augustine’s titled work. It is the first of seven such passages. This plot, according to later scripture passages, may have been initiated by his own family (Jeremiah 12;6ff). Other scholars contend that it was earlier in his career when the priests of Anathoth opposed him because his preaching provided backing for Josiah's religious reform. He speaks prophetically of the event using language similar to Job 21:7-13 and Psalms 37, 49, 73 and provides images that will later associate this passage to the plots against Jesus in his last days
CCC: Jer 11:19 608
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12
R. (2a) O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
Commentary on Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10,11-12
Psalm 7 is a lament. In the verses used here, we find the psalmist being persecuted. He is calling on the Lord for protection and salvation. As in many cases, the singer sees the Lord as armor, a shield against those who would do him harm, the wicked.
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Gospel: John 7:40-53
Commentary on Jn 7:40-53
The irony of St. John’s Gospel shows in the first part of this passage. The crowd is pointing at facts about the Davidic Messiah, specifically where he was prophesied to be born. They recite the prophecy: the Messiah will be from the line of King David (cf 2 Samuel 7:12-14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5; and Ezekiel 34:23-24), and Jesus is. He will be born in Bethlehem (cf Micah 5:2), as Jesus was. Not knowing the truth about these facts the crowd is not wholly convinced.
In the second part St. John describes the deliberations in the Sanhedrin. Why had the guards not arrested Jesus? Based upon the description, we can infer that those present actually prevented the guards from taking that step. The religious leaders cynically say that “this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” After more discussion, they are still not ready to act, and return to their homes; action for the moment is delayed.
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Reflection:
In the Gospel from John on Friday we heard the first echoes of the coming passion of Christ. Today we hear it again in a resounding way. First we find Jeremiah speaking of the plot against him, letting us know that this is not the first time God’s people have rejected what God needed them to hear. The author also speaks of God’s faithfulness to Jeremiah, how God’s messenger (Jeremiah) trusts him to take care of these obstacles.
The Psalmist translates the prophet’s call into a song, full of hope and trust in God. As is usual this common call puts us in the place of Jeremiah. In our lives there are always pitfalls along the way. Sometimes they are of our own making, sometimes placed there by others. In some cases, in spite of our constant prayer; “deliver us from temptation,” we fall into those snares and need the Psalmist’s assurances: “O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me” (Psalm 7:2).
The Gospel today describes how the plot against Jesus thickens. The Scribes and the Pharisees are very upset because the genuine voice of God is hard to disguise, and that voice was not saying what they needed it to say.
It is clear they do not know the particulars of his background, or the Lord’s identity would have been immediately seen. They did not know he was of the line of David, the ancestry predicted for the Messiah. They did not know he had been born in Bethlehem, the prophesied place of birth for the Messiah. They had not heard his claim that he had come to fulfill all that had been written in the Law, redefining key terms (expanding the love of God from just the house of Israel to encompass all peoples and nations). Had they understood the Prophet Isaiah, they would have seen that, not only did he meet the prophetic standard for the physical arrival of the Messiah, he also fulfilled the path to be followed. They would see this too late.
If this were an adventure novel, right now we readers would be saying to Jesus: “Look out, it’s a trap! Don’t go there (to Jerusalem) where they can get you. Run – go back to Galilee where it’s safe for you.” But as we know, he sees this trap and knows the fate that awaits him, and because of his great love for us – he walks knowingly in.
This is our great example of what the Lord tells us about love for one another. Never does he express hate or even anger about the people who plot his arrest and death. How can he? They are his creation as well. But we must see his face in those who plot against us. We, like Jesus must trust in the our Heavenly Father to give us strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril, and peace in all we do.
Pax
