Wednesday, March 28, 2018

God's Ways Are Not Our Ways


The last week of the life of Jesus clearly illustrates God’s declaration in Isaiah 55:8: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” What were the ways of humans during those fateful days?

• Protecting one’s own power and status through deception and violence (members of the Sanhedrin)
• Betraying an innocent man for money (Judas)
• Abandoning a friend out of fear (Simon Peter)
• Making sport of one condemned to death (Roman soldiers)
• Shaming and taunting a dying man (the crowd that gathered to witness the crucifixion)

On the other hand, the following actions of Jesus show us the mind of Christ:

• Staying true to God’s call to love (continuing to teach and heal despite the danger to himself)
• Teaching the importance of serving others (washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper)
• Rejecting violence (healing the man whose ear had been severed with a sword)
• Forgiving those who perform evil deeds (praying that God will forgive those crucifying him)
• Turning his entire being over to God (“Father, in your hands I commend my spirit”)

The Triduum provides a yearly opportunity to meditate on how we can make Jesus’ ways our ways, trusting that, in spite of the suffering we may experience, the way of love and faithfulness will always lead to new life. May you have a fruitful and blessed Triduum and Easter season!

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