Yesterday, I was one of 80 Christian men who were gathered to listen to a man of the cloth presenting his food for thought. He shared an inspirational talk to us like-minded men titled “Know Yourself to Share Yourself.” The underlying message was about having the courage to being open about who you truly are and being present to each holy moment in your life. It was all good stuff.
He began “Who wants to be a saint?” Only a few raised their hands. Unsatisfied with the faint response, he asked again, “Who wants to be a saint?” Most everyone raised their hands.
I did not.
He went on, “Well, what is a saint, anyway. It is someone who lives with God in heaven. Who does not want to go to heaven?”
What stumps me is that most people live as though heaven and sainthood can only come after we die which is contrary to authentic Christian teaching and a form of denial of Christ.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal 2:20)
Every baptized Christian is reborn in Christ. We can choose to participate in the divine life of God now. This is called Grace. It is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me. Each and every moment we can choose to partake in the divine life of the Living God, or not.
We are invited to participate in God’s divine life – in the here and now. Eternity, or eternal life, does not begin when I die. We are already within its domain.
We are able to hold awareness of this divine participation (sainthood) in God in short glimpses, except when in denial to the Christ who lives in me. And this denial comes in many forms. The Apostle Peter gives us a good example of words spoken contrary to one’s actions (Mk 14:29-31).
Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
Later that night, Peter denies Jesus and himself. Luke notes that at the crowing of the cock, Jesus (who must have been in the high priest’s courtyard) looked directly at him. Peter immediately remembered his promises of faithfulness as well as Jesus’ prediction. He then went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62).
The image below is a memorial to Peter’s triple denial in Jerusalem taken while on pilgrimage. It is near the Church of St. Peter at Gallicantu on the eastern slope of Mount Zion just outside the old walled city of Jerusalem. Gallicantu means “cock’s crow.”
Peter could have become a man filled with despair. Seeing his own weakness so directly, knowing that Jesus had seen it and now even his fellow apostles knew about it, how could he still enjoy anyone’s respect? Yes, Peter (like most of us) could have packed away the burden of his sin eroding his soul through self-criticism, depression, and spiritual pessimism. He did not and neither should we.
And soon after, Jesus comes back to Peter and his companions on the shores of the Galilee, at Tabgha.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” (Jn 21:15-16)
Jesus’ never abandons his Beloved, and neither should the Beloved abandon the Lover. Sadly, even as we claim ourselves Christian, we still do.
Especially during this Lenten season, I find it useful to consider how easily and often I deny Jesus?
Now getting back to yesterday: Our most entertaining talk is over, most everyone is in a “gung ho” spiritual mood and it is now time for lunch. Someone grabs the microphone and announces, “Let’s say blessing before we eat! A loud chorus responds, “Bless us, O Lord and these thy gifts,….”
We all hurry to stand in the lunch line and I whisper to one of my buddies who enjoys philosophical discussions as much as I do, and I ask him,
“If all of God’s creation is already holy and blest – what are we humans blessing???”
Ps. I suppose that is a topic for another day
