April 13, 2004 Tuesday of the Octave of Easter
Little Jimmy wasn’t feeling well so he stayed at home with a sitter while his family went to mass on Palm Sunday. When the family returned with their palms, Jimmy wanted to know what they were for. His mother said, “the people held them over Jesus’ head as he passed by.”
Little Jimmy scowled and said, “wouldn’t you know it. The one day I stay home, he shows up in person.”
[wait for laughter to die down]
It’s a cute story. But, how many of us have a view of Jesus that’s almost as simplistic as little Jimmy’s? As Catholics, we believe that He exists in the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist. For some people, that’s just too hard to believe. Unfortunately even some Catholics fall into that category. On the other hand, some people seem to think that He only exists in the Eucharist. Go to mass. Go to communion. You’re done. No need to even think about Him the rest of the time.
For some, He is present only in church. For some, apparently, He is present everywhere but church.
Many see Jesus as a man who lived 2000 years who has little relevance in the twenty-first century. They may think He was the Son of God, they may think he was only a prophet.
Some people are like Thomas. They don’t believe in anything that they can’t see and touch. But, proof doesn’t leave much room for faith, does it? It’s our faith that sets us apart as Christians.
Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of my children, you do for me.” To be true followers, we should try to see Him in the poor, the hungry, the homeless and in one another. I mentioned this a few weeks ago. When the minister says “the Body of Christ” there are two meanings. One is the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The other is that you who receive the communion, are part of the Body of Christ.
This year, many of us had the opportunity to see a very graphic depiction of Christ’s last hours, the Passion movie. It broke another record this weekend, taking in something like another $17 million. One criticism I’ve heard of the movie is that we shouldn’t have to see something so graphic to realize that Christ suffered terribly of our sins. There’s something to that. But I think I can safely say that anyone who saw the movie has a different vision of Christ than they had before.
For centuries, we have used paintings and statues to depict the life and death of Christ. The only thing that’s different in 2004 is the technology. I imagine that in 1498, when Michelangelo carved the Pieta from a block of marble, there were critics who said it wasn’t necessary to see Mary holding the body of her son.
The point is that Christ exists in the world today in many forms. You’d think it wouldn’t be so hard for so many people to see him. But then, even Mary Magdalene didn’t recognize him right away.
Little Jimmy scowled and said, “wouldn’t you know it. The one day I stay home, he shows up in person.”
[wait for laughter to die down]
It’s a cute story. But, how many of us have a view of Jesus that’s almost as simplistic as little Jimmy’s? As Catholics, we believe that He exists in the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist. For some people, that’s just too hard to believe. Unfortunately even some Catholics fall into that category. On the other hand, some people seem to think that He only exists in the Eucharist. Go to mass. Go to communion. You’re done. No need to even think about Him the rest of the time.
For some, He is present only in church. For some, apparently, He is present everywhere but church.
Many see Jesus as a man who lived 2000 years who has little relevance in the twenty-first century. They may think He was the Son of God, they may think he was only a prophet.
Some people are like Thomas. They don’t believe in anything that they can’t see and touch. But, proof doesn’t leave much room for faith, does it? It’s our faith that sets us apart as Christians.
Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of my children, you do for me.” To be true followers, we should try to see Him in the poor, the hungry, the homeless and in one another. I mentioned this a few weeks ago. When the minister says “the Body of Christ” there are two meanings. One is the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The other is that you who receive the communion, are part of the Body of Christ.
This year, many of us had the opportunity to see a very graphic depiction of Christ’s last hours, the Passion movie. It broke another record this weekend, taking in something like another $17 million. One criticism I’ve heard of the movie is that we shouldn’t have to see something so graphic to realize that Christ suffered terribly of our sins. There’s something to that. But I think I can safely say that anyone who saw the movie has a different vision of Christ than they had before.
For centuries, we have used paintings and statues to depict the life and death of Christ. The only thing that’s different in 2004 is the technology. I imagine that in 1498, when Michelangelo carved the Pieta from a block of marble, there were critics who said it wasn’t necessary to see Mary holding the body of her son.
The point is that Christ exists in the world today in many forms. You’d think it wouldn’t be so hard for so many people to see him. But then, even Mary Magdalene didn’t recognize him right away.
posted by Mike at 1:27 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home