5th Lent Options for Life; the choice of a disciple

In case anyone has forgotten Easter will soon be here! Easter we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, his death and Resurrection. We celebrate in Gratitude for this revelation of Life. We commit ourselves again to the way of Christ, and we join with those newly baptized and newly received into the Catholic Church to be disciples, to be better disciples of Christ.

Yet, what will that mean for them and what does it mean for us, already fully initiated and living out the faith?

In the United States the Bishops have called for a two year Eucharistic Revival. Two years for all Catholics in the US to contemplate our grasp of the meaning that the Bread and Wine become the very person of the Resurrected Son of God, and how we can give thanks and live that out. A critique of what some bishops have suggested is that they simply want to restore those acts of piety from the past and that they think this will prompt people to believe in the real presence. The critique is that many people already believe in the Real Presence, but it makes little impact in how they live their lives. We have seen that in our church institution for centuries. Belief does not always create disciples.

Eucharist means thanksgiving. Disciples live lives of gratitude; deep gratitude. Gratitude that in the Paschal Mystery the way to truly engage in living has been revealed to us, and offered to us. A way different from how we have lived life in the past.

How different?

We know this situation in the Gospel. This woman has been judged guilty and the law is clear; the consequence is death. This was the way. Is not there another option? Something that does not involve the killing of someone?

Jesus gives it to them. Jesus gives her and them an option for life.  We can later read in Scripture that another crowd will convene and condemn an innocent man to death. A crowd that probably as the one in today’s story is not sinless either.  The Father’s response to this situation, the Father who truly has the right to condemn because the Father is without sin; the Father does NOT hurl a stone, does not condemn humanity to death.

We too are forgiven. The Father returns the Son to us in peace and love. We remember, we celebrate, we believe each Eucharistic celebration.

Disciples of Jesus will celebrate in Gratitude this forgiveness, this option for life, and in turn in gratitude will go into the world and share this forgiveness, will give life to others, will seek life for others. Disciples will work to end death penalty and bring about restorative justice.

Disciples of Christ will like with mercy and compassion; seeking reconciliation not vengeance, by holding our tongues and not lying and gossiping, nor attacking a perceived foe.

Disciples of Christ, those who believe in the real presence, will be generous and humble, sharing with others our gifts, our blessings, working to change and end policies that harm others and keep them in poverty.

Gratitude for life will be in the courage and fortitude to not follow the mob; but be open to hearing what may be different and challenging, then discern and do what is truly right and just.

There once was a bishop who was named as Archbishop. He was chosen as Archbishop because he was perceived as compliant, bookish; one whom the elite liked. This Archbishop became exposed to the corruption of those elite, to the abject poverty enforced on the regular people by these elite. He witnessed his own friends including priests, being arrested and tortured because they dared to speak up for those being beaten, killed, raped and left in garbage piles. He saw the contradiction with the Gospels. He became a disciple and he too spoke up. Until the elite had him shot during mass.

Archbishop Romero’s sainthood reminds us that discipleship in Christ does not always follow belief.

Now, most of us will never ever have to face this situation, but we all will need to ask ourselves “Am I living as a disciples?” How is my life different by following Jesus Christ”

Saint Theresa of Calcutta believe and she acted. She saw Christ in the body and blood, and she saw Christ in the poor in the streets.

We can be in a crowd, we can be part of a group that will choose life. We will throw compassion, mercy, patience, humility, aid to those in need.

We can be part of a community that welcomes and invites; that discerns and acts for the good of others.

We can be husbands, wives, families that consider values important and make sacrifices for those values; of raising children with those values.

We can see a world full of potential and want to bring that potential out in ourselves and in others.

And when confronted with challenges and at times evil, we can find hope and life; and offer that to heal.

We can be people who believe and who act as disciples: living that Paschal Mystery.