John 18:33-37
In an age bombarded by information and words it can be instructive to slow down long enough to listen — to hear the Eternal Word speak.
In the frenetic way of communicating by text and by email there has emerged an additional kind of punctuation that includes all manner of little images (happy faces, sad faces, etc.) and gets more and more involved and detailed with each new level of technological “advancement.” These “emojis” can actually help if they bring some tone to a conversation. Without the smiley face, the person on what used to be called the other end of the line might read a joking text in a very serious way. Serious consequences can follow when there is no tone.
Pilate and Jesus have a face to face conversation in our Gospel passage this Sunday. Their tone was evident and clear as they spoke to each other. When we read it today, however, we don’t have the benefit of hearing their tone. The Scriptures bring the saving mysteries and inspiring instructive stories to us. By prayer and study we can learn and live the very wisdom of God. This occurs gradually within us, especially when we are willing to spend time with the sacred texts and absorb them little by little.
Was Pilate brusque and abusive when he questioned Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Or was he more matter of fact? Did he ask in a mocking tone? Did their conversation begin calmly but grow into one more contentious? It can be fruitful to pray through this exchange in a careful and attentive way, imagining each of them, their expressions and reactions, their purposes. Of course, we can and should bring our knowledge from other contexts to our prayer about this conversation.
“I am not a Jew, am I?” “What have you done?” “Then you are a king?” Each of these questions of Pilate would sound quite different based on his degree of sincere interest or his increasing irritated impatience, for example. Can we hear these things in his voice? As we pray, can we see and feel and hear the response of Jesus, ever patient and compassionate?
It is interesting that the responses of Jesus strike a recognizable tone. One might try to read something else into them but they betray a calm, confident, compassionate, humble tone. From Jesus, who would have been justified in choosing not to dignify any question from Pilate with a response, we find an effort to plant a seed of truth. Was Jesus leaving Pilate with the words that would save him later?
Of all the words of Jesus in this interrogating kind of conversation, only this sentence seems ambiguous in tone: “You say I am a king.” Everything else Jesus says stands clearly and hits a clear target. This one is one that can be difficult to understand. Was Jesus saying “You said that, not me”? Or “Even you’re saying so now”? It seems likely that the language scholars and any scholar could shed some light on it. Meanwhile, we might pray it as Jesus’ way of engaging Pilate to think about, to ponder, to be changed by the words that follow: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Jesus the king did not go around calling himself a king. He did call himself “the way, the truth, and the life.” Continue praying the passage beyond the part given in Mass today to find the famous words of Pilate, “What is truth?” What was Pilate’s tone in those words? Scoffing, skeptical, curious, cynical, bored? What was Jesus’ response? In the text Jesus says no words at all. In his eyes, in his manner, in Jesus’ presence there was an unmistakable tone. Did Pilate get it? Do we? Listening to Jesus’ voice — not disregarding it — means we belong to the truth, which means, of course, we belong to him.
Fr. Zuberbueler is pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church.
https://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Euchrist/HolyMass/gospels.asp?key=35
Year B - 33th Sunday in ordinary time
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.
Mark 13:24-32
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.
25 And the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven, shall be moved.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds, with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28 Now of the fig tree learn you parable. When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves are come forth, you know that summer is very near.
29 So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors.
30 Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, until all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.
32 But of that day or hour no man knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.
Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Matter is temporal, but the spirit is eternal. God has created the world for a purpose. Just as the farmer waits for the day of harvest, the day will come when I will come to collect the fruit of my vineyard.
The materialistic man thinks that everything will end with death; this is why he tries to enjoy life to the full while ignoring the divine laws and endangering the life of his soul. The man who acknowledges life after death knows that there will be an unknown spiritual world that does not depend of his control but of the divine will.
Every human being has to be born, then he grows and eventually dies according to the will of God. No one has come back from the dead. This is everyone’s fate.
I came back from the dead because I triumphed over it; I have promised the gift of the resurrection to those who follow me. Sin is the reason for which everyone has to die, for this Adam and Eve received the sentence to return to dust from where they had been created.
I have come to open the doors of the Heavenly Paradise, in which all the elected will begin their new life after the resurrection and will live in the glory of eternity.
He who meditates about his own death, feels fear of the chastisement of God for his sins, and begins to prepare himself for eternal life. My word is the seed that begins to grow and gives fruit in his soul, it warns him of danger and takes him though the way of life.
There are many who are interested in knowing when the final day of the world will be. Through the centuries there have been false prophecies; and many have been deceived. I tell you sincerely, the end must come to each one on the day of his own death. This is the reason for which you must be prepared, because no one knows the day nor the hour, only my Heavenly Father, whose authority is absolute. Regarding the end of times, there will also come that moment, but this must not be the preoccupation for the soul that looks for God.
Heaven and earth will pass. Everything that is material will disappear, but my words are the words that gave origin to creation, the words of salvation, the words of eternal life that will never lose their value. He who has ears, listen.
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary