“But they remained silent”
“Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” [1]
It would seem that the Pharisees would speak the words above or the enemies of Christ, like the unrepentant thief who mocking Jesus saying, “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” [2] These words however, were written 100 years before the birth of Christ and are a prophecy of our Suffering Savior as well as every Christian.
Why is it that people want to mock, torture, and test Jesus? “The conduct of the just man serves as a constant reproach to the wicked who react by plotting against him, to belittle him, and to get rid of him. This has always been the case, from the earliest times to the present; and it was supremely so with our Lord Jesus Christ.” [3]
Have we ever been persecuted? How do we receive persecution for being good or holy? Why are we made fun of or even treated wrongly when we strive for holiness and doing good? It is not that people dislike goodness or holiness, what people dislike is change. When we are good or holy it raises the bar or creates a standard. It reveals to others they could do better, they could be holier. When we are confronted with the truth it means we have to change our life. If we do not want to change our life, then we must get rid of that which convicts us, namely the truth. We have to remember we are either growing closer with God or we are falling away from Him. There is no middle ground where we can stay still. Jesus says that He spits out those who are lukewarm [4] (i.e. those who just stay stationary). Sloth is “a culpable lack of physical or spiritual effort; acedia or laziness.” [5] Change means a movement, and effort toward the good. The beatitude, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness”, is the opposite of sloth.
If we are already living a holy life, why do we still need to progress? If we are still living in this world, it means we are not in perfect communion with God. Being in full communion with God can only be achieved when we die and go to Heaven. While we remain here on this earth we have every chance to strengthen our resolve and grow closer to our Lord. Also our life is not for our self. The Blessed Virgin Mary is immaculate and holy, being full of Grace, she was and still is a channel of grace for others. While we remain here on this earth we have every chance to be a channel of grace for others.
It was mentioned above that if we do not want to change our life, then we must get rid of that which convicts us, namely the truth. How do we try to get rid of the truth? One way is through relativism. People say there is no absolute truth; truth is relative to each person or situation. This means that goodness or holiness depends on each person. In other words there is no standard for holiness. Jesus however says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” [6] The truth is not relative to each person, the truth is a person, the person of Jesus Christ. To get rid of truth implies that we have to get rid of the person of Jesus. Jesus sets the standard of holiness and gives us the challenge, “Be holy, as you heavenly Father is holy.” [7] This call to holiness is only possible because of the example and grace of Jesus Christ. Hope lies in embracing this call to holiness. Despair happens when we avoid holiness or believe the lie that holiness is not possible.
“The forms and tasks of life are many, but holiness is one - that sanctity which is cultivated by all who act under God's Spirit and, obeying the Father's voice and adoring God the Father in spirit and in truth, follow Christ, poor, humble and cross - bearing, that they may deserve to be partakers of his glory. Each one, however, according to his own gifts and duties must steadfastly advance along the way of a living faith, which arouses hope and works through love.” [8]
What keeps us from holiness? One thing that keeps us from holiness is the idea that we are already holy, that we are “ok” where we are in life. This is the sin of presumption. The disciples “had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.” In the Spiritual Reading in this packet Saint Augustine points out three groups. All three believe they are “ok”, they believe they are great, but in fact they are lacking.
Group One – The Leader
These are the leaders, the shepherds, that instead of living their call to holiness, “they enjoy the bounty of mild and wool, but they take no care at all of the sheep, and they make no effort to heal those who are ill. This group perceive themselves to be holy and thus neglect their duties toward others, especially those in their care. The attitude is that I am fine, why do I have to worry about others.
Group Two – The Unmotivated
“In the case of the weak sheep, it is to be feared that the temptation, when it comes, may break him. The sick person, however, is already ill by reason of some illicit desire or other, and this is keeping him from entering God’s path and submitting to Christ’s yoke.” This group stays in its weakness never moving past it. When temptation comes they crumble. Their desire of God is not great enough, so they do not enter God’s path or submit to Christ’s yoke. This group is weak and lazy and thus stays in their sickness; they lack the hope necessary to believe that they can be well, that they can be holy. This group Saint John Vianny described well when he said they believe they are too sick to see a doctor or in other words to sinful to go to Church. This group falls into the falsehood that it is easier to remain sick, than to work toward healing or it is easier to remain overweight that to get fit and eat right. Short term to remain sick or overweight is easier, but in the long run both are not easy.
Group Three – The Motivated
“There are men who want to live a good life and have already decided to do so, but are not capable of bearing suffering even though they are ready to do good. Now it is a part of the Christians strength not only to do good works but also to endure the sufferings that threaten.” This group wants or desires the good and have decided to live it. They have the strength to do the good, but they do not have the strength to avoid evil. Saint Peter teaches what true life consists of. “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it.” [9]
What is common about all three groups? The common element in all three groups is that they do not push themselves out of their comfort zone. The first group is comfortable being leaders but do not push themselves to actually lead. The second group does not push themselves out of their sickness or lack of desire. The third group has only a partial desire, they want to do the good, but will not push themselves to also avoid evil. Each group “remains silent” in acting as they ought, just as the disciples “remained silent” as the Truth Himself questioned them.
[1] Wisdom 2:17-20
[2] Matthew 27:43
[3] Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., Divine Intimacy
[4] Revelation 3:16
[5] Catechism of the Catholic Church - Glossary
[6] John 14:6
[7] Matthew 5:48
[8] Documents of Vatican II; Lumen Gentium - 41
[9] 1 Peter 3:10-11