Open our hearts
Six weeks ago our Lenten journey began. I preached at our Noon Distribution of Ashes and started by wishing everyone a Happy Lent. Yes, Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. But this year I encouraged everyone to also open their hearts to listen to what God is calling each of us, individually and collectively, to do.
As we reach the end of Lent, we can take stock of how Jesus has opened our hearts by reflecting on the Passover meal in today’s Gospel. Jesus and his disciples reclined at table, which was a typical way that Jewish people ate. They believed this allowed for better digestion and helped attendees feel secure in their position and friendship with each other. Jesus and his disciples were obviously close to one another at their Passover celebration. Are we secure in our relationship with Jesus? Would Jesus be secure with us?
A friendship existed between Jesus and Judas. It was enough of a friendship that many scholars believe Judas was to the left of Jesus so that, when reclining, Jesus would be resting on Judas. So why did Judas look to betray Jesus and turn him over to authorities?
Theologian William Barclay points to three potential reasons: 1) extreme greed (not likely as the actual price was not as significant as one might think); 2) Judas was disillusioned because he thought Jesus was going to lead a great rebellion which did not occur; 3.) Judas wanted to force Jesus’s hand to act more quickly in bringing about the kingdom. Barclay concludes that, whatever the reason, the tragedy is that Judas refused to accept Jesus as he truly was. Rather, Judas was trying to make Jesus into someone he wanted him to be. Do we accept Jesus as he is, or do we try to make him into something that fits our image of him?
As our Happy Lent journey concludes, do we have open hearts and accept Jesus for who he is: the risen Son of God who first must suffer so we can get to the joy and glory of Easter and the promise of eternal life?
Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl is the Director of the Social Action Office for Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Cleveland. He is a member of the CCUSA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team and on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Catholic Social Action and Mission and Catholic Mobilizing Network. He and his wife Michelle live in Medina, Ohio. They have two adult children and a granddaughter.