On the road again: a reflection for Day 25 of Lent

 

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12.32-34)

     Jesus and the disciples continue to journey towards Jerusalem.  The number of people thronging around Jesus is increasing (Lk. 11.14, 29; 12.1), and so is the tension between Jesus and the obstinate members of “his generation”.  The tenor of Jesus’ teaching is severe (cf. Lk. 11.47-51).  However, in chapter 12, Jesus turns his attention to the disciples and exhorts them to be free of fear.

·        “do not fear those who kill the body” (Lk. 12.4)

·        “do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows” (12.7)

·        “do not worry about how or what you will answer or what you are to say” (12.11)

·        “do not worry about your life” (12.22)

·        “which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?” (12.25)

·        “do not keep worrying” (12.29)

·        “do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (12.32)

     The two themes that Jesus develops in Lk. 12.4-34 are confidence during persecution and detachment from possessions which will result, not in anxiety, but rather in peace of mind and heart.  The establishment of the kingdom of God is near, and promises to be an “awesome” moment of both salvation and judgment; however, Jesus assures his disciples that they have been chosen to “receive” the kingdom (cf. Lk. 10.21-24; 22.28-30).  The disciples are “anxious about many things” (cf. Lk. 10.41), not least their position in the kingdom (Lk. 9.46-48), but Jesus wants them to trust him and his Father who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers of the field (Lk. 12.22-28).  How much more will God take care of them (cf. Lk. 11.13)?  The disciples are not to keep anxiously seeking the necessities of life; rather, they are to seek the kingdom (Lk. 12.29-31), which so far, has meant participating in Jesus’ ministry of healing.  Jesus wants his followers to be free of unnecessary anxiety and preoccupation.  They are to give freely of themselves to those in both physical and spiritual need, trusting that God will provide for their material wants.  As long as they are with Jesus, the disciples are on a mission to the people of God, and they must focus wholeheartedly on that.

     The disciples find themselves caught up in the purposes of God, the fate of the world and every person who has ever lived and ever will live.  This is all a bit overwhelming…surely the Christian life isn’t supposed to be this…intense?  I suggest to you that it is we who have so often domesticated Jesus, the Bible, the life of the Church and our own personal walk in the footsteps of our Lord.  It is impossible to read the New Testament honestly and conclude that this is a recipe for a calm and peaceful spirituality.  Au contraire, our Scriptures tell us of a strange God who creates a beautiful world with creatures endowed with free will.  Not content to abandon his human creatures to their fate, this God becomes a member of the human race and goes to Jerusalem to save the world in the most bizarre way conceivable.  And Jesus calls people to follow him on his perilous journey.  The God of the Bible is an adventurous God, and those who find themselves in love with him should be ready for anything.

     Jesus has his reasons for going to Jerusalem, and the disciples have theirs.  Jesus is a “dead man walking” – it’s as if he is already carrying his cross (cf. Lk. 9.23-24).  And yet, he moves forward with confidence and trust in his Father (cf. Lk. 12.4), and beckons us to do the same.  No matter what may await us, let us follow after Jesus in the freedom that comes from knowing that he will never abandon us and that our heavenly Father is watching over us with love and care.

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home.

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Amen.

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