| Saturday, November 23, 2002 Meditation Luke 20:27-40 Once, hearing a poor servant curse his master for having dispossessed him of everything he owned, Francis admonished him: “Brother, pardon your master for the love of God, and free your own soul; it is possible that he will restore to you whatever he has taken away. Otherwise, you have lost your goods and will lose your soul as well.” But the man answered that he would not forgive until his possessions had been returned. At this, Francis gave him his own cloak and begged him to forgive his master. The man’s heart was at once melted by this act of kindness, and he immediately forgave his master (Mirror of Perfection, 32).
“A soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). By speaking gently and demonstrating godly kindness, Francis did exactly what Jesus did over and over again—and what we are called to do.
The Sadducees were upset with Jesus and wanted to get rid of him because he claimed to have greater authority than they did. Seeking some reason to bring a charge against him, they asked a trick question about the resurrection of the body (Luke 20:28-33). If Jesus answered in a way that made the resurrection look ridiculous, the Pharisees would protest. If the opposite, the Sadducees—who did not believe in immortality—would be offended. So however Jesus answered, he would incur the wrath of one of these two powerful political and religious factions in Jerusalem.
Rather than snapping back and scolding, Jesus graciously responded with words of hope describing the new life he came to offer. Pointing them to Exodus 3:6, he gave scriptural evidence for the resurrection. There, Yahweh revealed himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These patriarchs, who had died hundreds of years before Moses, were still alive in God. God is a living God of a living people, and so there must be a resurrection after death!
Jesus’ answer—and more importantly, his demeanor—silenced the Sadducees (Luke 20:40). Remaining in the peace of God, he answered graciously, patiently, and wisely, and there was nothing they could object to. May we too learn to hold ourselves in peace and to be as gentle as Jesus and St. Francis!
“Lord Jesus, may I radiate your goodness and kindness to everyone I meet today.” |
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