Friday, March 26, 2021

WEBINAR PART 1

Good Friday, the day that commemorates the Crucifixion of Our Lord, is a focal point for all Christians.

Over the past few weeks, my wife and I have had the privilege to participate in some webinars by Father Scott Lewis S.J, a noted author and Bible scholar.

Without giving a full summary of his presentation on the Crucifixion, let me simply outline a few of Father Lewis's observations and thoughts mixed in with my own.

To begin, he noted, that although the four gospel accounts of Good Friday differ widely, it would be a mistake to meld them together as was depicted in the movie The Passion of the Christ. In fact, any inconsistencies in the accounts should not call into question the horror of that day. Although crucifixions were quite common in Roman times, Father Lewis probed why Jesus submitted to one Himself.

Although the presenter described several prevailing theories, let me summarize the two I found most interesting.

One is called substitution atonement, that is, Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. Almost like a transaction, the amount He suffered was in direct proportion to our sinfulness. More sins equal more suffering. I think that's how I was taught about it as a child; an approach that can either affirm one's individual worth since He died for each of us or be used as a justification for tolerating an abusive situation; that is, bear your cross without complaint thus uniting your suffering with a crucified Christ. What a potentially harmful mind-set!

Another damaging school of thought on the Crucifixion is that Jesus was a scapegoat for us, that He bore our sins and sacrificed Himself to His father on our behalf, to open the gates of heaven as it were. Simply put, Jesus took the rap for us. Looking for someone else take the blame has been man's modus operandi  going all the way back to Adam and Eve. I think scapegoating is an unfortunate part of our DNA and a sign of man's intrinsic cowardice and fear.

Father Lewis concluded  his talk with his own thoughtful insights about the Crucifixion. In truth, he said, on Good Friday, Jesus sacrificed Himself to us, not to his Father. That is, He allowed His death to take place without putting up any resistance because He had to be authentic to his message.

That message is found in the Beatitudes, eight blessings that not only remedy our distorted image of God, they remedy our distorted image of ourselves. To be lived out like Jesus, the Beatitudes require our humility, our compassion, our courage and our shared hope in a better tomorrow.

We aren't there yet but let us be inspired daily to help bring " thy kingdom come" just a bit closer.

THE BEATITUDES 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

 Matthew 5:3-10


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