A harvest through perseverance
Our Lenten journey continues, and we are drawing ever closer to Holy Week. Ultimately, we know the Triduum story: Jesus will be arrested. He will walk the Via Dolorosa. He will die on Calvary’s hill. He will be buried in the tomb. He will rise and live again. Yet, before we commemorate Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection, we tend to overlook what happens before Jesus’ arrest.
We read today of growing division amongst the chief priests and Pharisees. The tension is palpable. The prophet Jeremiah foretold the plotting and scheming with beautiful but haunting imagery, like a lamb led to slaughter and a tree cut down in its vigor. John’s gospel highlights this growing contempt with more direct language: “So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.”
Regardless of the language used, the sentiment is the same — division is growing. Given the world’s state today, we know all too well where division can lead: jealousy, isolation, contempt, anger, and hatred. Hatred leads to violence, and violence leads to war. We might think that we are helpless and cannot do anything to stop this progression.
Thankfully, that is not true. There continue to be good and just people courageous enough to question going down the path of division. People like Nicodemus, who ask tough questions and speak truth to power. People who work at Catholic Charities and in social action, who value the life and dignity of every person walking through the door, regardless of what brought them there. People who work for the common good and try to make the world a better place.
It’s not easy work, and some days are more challenging than others. But did you notice the verse before today’s gospel? It says, “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” I pray that we all will persevere in our ministries, despite the tension and division surrounding us. Christ is in our midst, and we can take heart in knowing that even when circumstances seem hopeless, Jesus ultimately conquers death itself.
Catherine Zirngibl is the Program Coordinator for the National Association of Catholic Social Action and Mission (NACSAM). She serves on the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team and on the board of the Catholic Labor Network. She ministers as Pastoral Associate at Lumen Christi Parish in Mequon, WI, and is the proud mother of James (10), Madeleine (9), and Daniel (4).