Pastor Notes May 7, 2023
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May 8, 2023Jesus said, “Where I am going you know the way."
Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (JN 14:4)
Within the plethora of movies, old and new, some lackluster and some deeply meaningful, there is “The Way.” Written and directed by Emilio Estevez, starring his father, Martin Sheen, in a role depicting his journey to heal from the sudden loss of his son. Taking the challenge to walk (or pilgrimage) the El Camino de Santiago, also known as the The Way of Saint James, Sheen’s character finds healing and redemption through the journey and people he unexpectedly encounters. Though our journeys in life may not be as particular as that of the “The Way of Saint James,” they are always an invitation for Christ’s presence and grace at our side. His “Way” is always to interrupt ours, within our attempts to plan and control, those times we hesitate out of fear or hurt, and in the precious moments we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, open to Him who desires to journey with us. As our gospels inform us, Jesus does not desire to be worshipped or adored; rather, significantly, “follow me.” There we will find the path leading to our Creator, the trust in the promise of eternal life, and the Resurrection.
“I am the way the truth and the life.” Speaking of His Truth, a few thoughts to consider: Jesus lived in a completely different reality. Not only did he live in a different time, but a different reality in Jewish culture two thousand years ago in contrast to our society and means today. Jesus was Jewish. Contrary to the image of a blue-eyed, blonde haired Caucasian, Jesus was a Jewish rabbi, teaching as did many of the rabbis of his time, hampered by the control the Roman Empire. Jesus was apolitical. He did not share a political ideology since such didn’t exist at that time in the first century. Jesus taught in a religious system consisting of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essences; and his only loyalty was to God.
Jesus wasn’t a Christian. “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. I came to accomplish their purpose (MT 5:17).” Jews who began to follow Jesus were no longer welcome in the synagogues so they formed communities of like minded followers called ‘ekklesia’ later translated to Church.
Jesus is bigger than our beliefs. Since the earliest stories in the Old Testament, we have tried to make God in our own image, unconsciously or overtly through our culture, background and presuppositions. To understand His truth, may we pay attention to the scripture passages and His teachings that make you uncomfortable; what we discover may surprise us of the way Jesus is guiding us. Jesus championed the rights of children and woman. In first century Judaism women and children had no rights, and their considerations were always secondary. Jesus extended dignity and purpose to all individuals regardless of class, identity or background. Jesus’ friends were the underclass of society. His ‘way’ was based on the concept of that all people are equally important in God’s eyes so to speak. He befriended and hung out with the individuals first century Judaism society cast aside.
Jesus made ‘humility’ (and healing) predominate. First century society at that time (whether Greek, Jew or Roman) valued courage, accomplishments, battle exploits or intellectual progress. Humility was not a virtue of the righteous and strong, yet Jesus’ counter cultural actions whether serving the poor or washing feet proved an uncompromised standard for all who would choose to be his disciple and follow him along the way. (Engrid Barnett The Untold Truth of Jesus; Kyle Chastain Koinonia)
Though Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez are both outspoken Catholics in practice and virtue, the main character in “The Way” displays no outward Christian affiliation allowing the journey to slowly find his purpose and peace with God through the healing steps with Christ. “Where I am going you know the way.”
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” (Albert Einstein)