Jesus of Nazareth 5 - Creation is for the Covenant

According to rabbinic theology, the idea of the covenant - the idea of establishing a holy people to be an interlocutor for God in union with him - is prior to the idea of the creation of the world and supplies its inner motive. The cosmos was created, not that there might be manifold things in heaven and earth, but that there might be a space for the "covenant", for the loving "yes" between God and his human respondent.

Jesus of Nazareth 4 - heroism and humility

During the washing of feet, in the atmosphere of farewell that pervades the scene, Peter asks his master quite openly: "Lord, where are you going?" And again he receives a cryptic answer: "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward". Peter understands that Jesus is speaking of his imminent death, and he now wants to emphasise his radical fidelity even unto death: "Why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you". Indeed, shortly afterward on the Mount of Olives,  he rushes in with his sword, ready to put his intention into effect. But he must learn that even martyrdom is no heroic achievement: rather, it is a grace to be able to suffer for Jesus. He must bid farewell to the heroism of personal deeds and learn the humility of the disciple.

Jesus of Nazareth 3 - The wrong kind of remorse

Pope Benedict reflects on what happens to Judas in betraying Jesus:

He has come under the dominion of another. Anyone who breaks off friendship with Jesus, casting off his "easy yoke", does not attain liberty, does not become free, but succumbs to other powers. To put it another way, he betrays this friendship because he is in the grip of another power to which he has opened himself.

True, the light shed by Jesus into Judas' soul was not completely extinguished. He does take a step toward conversion: "I have sinned", he says to those who commissioned him. He tries to save Jesus, and he gives the money back. Everything pure and great that he had received from Jesus remained inscribed on his soul - he could not forget it.

His second tragedy - after the betrayal - is that he can no longer believe in forgiveness. His remorse turns to despair. Now he sees only himself and his darkness; he no longer sees the light of Jesus, which can illumine and overcome the darkness... Genuine remorse is marked by the certainty of hope born of faith in the superior power of the light that was made flesh in Jesus.

Congratulations

Bishop McMahon with (L - R) Henry, Neil, Craig and Linh,
after their admission to Candidacy

As Henry mentioned in a previous post, fourth year yesterday received Candidature for Holy Order at the hands of Bishop Malcolm McMahon, OP. Congratulations Henry and all of our brothers!

It was a very beautiful occasion, and unexpectedly emotional (for me at least...but that doesn't take much!). Candidature, or, in American, Candidacy, as we call it at Oscott, is the last step before the Sacrament of Order. The Church has recognised that these four young men are now regarded as appropriate candidates to become priests. Now their formation is oriented entirely towards that end.

May God, who has begun this good work in you, bring it to fulfillment! 

Jesus of Nazareth 2 - The Washing of Feet



Maundy Thursday 2008 in the Lateran Basilica



What the Letter to the Philippians says in its great Christological hymn [chapter 2] - namely, that unlike Adam, who had tried to grasp divinity for himself, Christ moves in the opposite direction, coming down from his divinity into humanity, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient even to death on a cross - all this is rendered visible in a single gesture. Jesus represents the whole of his saving ministry in one symbolic act. He divests himself of his divine splendour; he, as it were, kneels down before us; he washes and dries our soiled feet, in order to make us fit to sit at table for God's wedding feast.

Candidacy

A while back I mentioned that we went on retreat to prepare for Admission as Candidates, when we make a formal resolve to continue in our formation and be spiritually and mentally formed to be faithful to Christ and His Church as deacons and priests. Tonight four of us will receive Candidacy (for the dioceses of Birmingham, Nottingham, and myself for East Anglia), celebrated by Bishop Malcom McMahon of Nottingham diocese. We are excited, and grateful to God for this occassion! Please pray for us, that we may carry out our resolve of fidelity to Christ and the Church. Thank you!

Jesus of Nazareth - The New Commandment

As mentioned yesterday, today is the first of a new series of posts taken from the Pope's second book on Jesus of Nazareth (replacing the Imitation posts). He is very concise in the way he touches on historical and critical perspectives of the Gospels and their interpretation, while at the same time presenting to us the spirit of the texts, so that ultimately we can come closer to Jesus. Here is a passage from his reflection on the Old Commandments and the meaning of the New Commandment of Christ at the Last Supper (to love one another):

...Who could possibly claim to have risen above the "average" way of the 10 Commandments, to have left them behind as self-evident, so to speak, and now to walk along the exalted paths of the "new law"? No, the newness of the new commandment cannot consist in the highest moral attainment. Here too, the essential point is not the call to supreme achievement, but the new foundation of being that is given to us. The newness can come only from the gift of being-with and being-in Christ. 

Last Imitation? - the need to have recourse to God in troubles

Apologies for not posting an Imitation yesterday. I'm finding it hard to select bits that aren't repeating what has already been said - that's just the nature of the book it seems! So I was wondering, seeing as I've begun Pope Benedict's new book on Jesus of Nazareth, maybe I'll post something from that each day instead of the Imitation. If anyone's go any objections let me know. Otherwise, tomorrow you will find a quote from Jesus of Nazareth...

Here's today's Imitation:

"Moses always had recourse to the tabernacle in order to decide all doubts and questions, and fled to the aid of prayer for help against the dangers and wickedness of men. So must you, in like manner, take refuge in the secret of your heart, and there most earnestly implore God's help."

Happy Laetare Sunday!

Happy Laetare Sunday to everyone! It's called Laetare after the entrance antiphon for the Mass:

Laetare Ierusalem, et conventum facite, omnes qui diligitis eam; gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis, ut exultetis, et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae. 

(Rejoice Jerusalem, and make an assembly, all who love her; be glad with joy, who were mourning, so that you exult, and you will be filled from her consoling breasts.)

On this day, when the priest wears rose vestments instead of purple, there is rejoicing (of a Lenten sort!) that we are halfway through our Lenten journey.We hope everyone is having a blessed season so far. Also, Happy Mother's Day to all Mums (ours included)!

Imitation 21 - Peace (continued)

"Your peace does not depend on the tongues of men, because, whether they judge well or evil of you, you are not thereby another man. Where is true peace and true glory? Is it not in me? And he who does not desire to please men, nor fear to displease them, will enjoy much peace. All uneasiness of heart and the distraction of the senses arise from disorderly love and vain fear."