Jesus and His Cross
Memento Mori - Remember Death
Lent is nearly over. We are now in Holy Week. Easter is rapidly approaching. The themes of many of the Gospel readings of this time of year cover many important topics of faith: temptation and sin; the glory of God (in the Transfiguration); baptism (Noah and the ark prefiguring baptism); anointing, rebirth, the Light come into the world (God so loved the world); and death and resurrection (if a grain of wheat dies it produces much fruit, the believer will preserve his life for eternity). Soon we will read of Jesus’s passion on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, again suffering and dying are the theme.
During Lent we are reminded of our mortality, bringing to mind the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. We don’t hear about them much these days. People would rather not think about them and many either don’t believe in hell or want to believe there’s no one there, despite Jesus’s assurances to the contrary.
I wondered about all those supposedly Christian (and especially Catholic) politicians who advocate so strongly for abortion and all the other things that run counter to the natural law and the teachings of the faith. What goes on in their minds? Do they think they can deceive God who sees into their hearts? They may deceive themselves with specious mental arguments and think that what they are doing is okay, but God sees into their hearts. He sees through the darkness – they cannot hide in it.
Some pro-abortion Catholics think they can hide in the darkness because in mass we say, “Lord I am not worthy.” True, none of us is worthy, but through God’s grace and the sacrament of reconciliation, with true repentance and full intent to no longer sin, we can approach Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. So if you haven’t been to confession yet this Lent, hurry, go NOW!
Jesus calls to repentance and began his public ministry with the words, “Repent, and believe in the gospel (Mk 1:15). There are conditions for God’s mercy. One must ask for forgiveness, be repentant (acknowledge our sins – mortal sins need to be acknowledged explicitly), be truly contrite, and have a firm purpose of amending one’s life – a desire to stop that sin.
Jesus cautions us “Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Mt 24:42 St. Paul also notes that being watchful is critical. “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1 Cor 16:13)
This brings me to one of the shortest (and one of the best) homilies I have heard. The Gospel reading was Matthew 25:1-13 about the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom (Christ). Five brought extra oil for their lamps and five didn’t. The bridegroom was delayed (we don’t know the time of Christ’s return), so the unprepared virgins asked the others for some of their oil but were refused because then all of them might run out. While they went to procure more oil, the bridegroom arrived. When they finally returned and asked for admittance to the bridal feast, they were forbidden entry. After finishing the Gospel reading, the priest leaned over to the microphone, said, “DEATH! ... Are you ready,” and sat down. You could hear a pin drop.
Jesus repeatedly reminded us that no one but the Father knows when our time is coming: Mark 13:33 (“Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time will come”), also Luke 21:36 and Acts 1:7. The events of Holy Week should raise our awareness to our need to turn to God continually. Conversion is an ongoing process. Use this week to reengage with God and his message of salvation.
Let the light and love of God enter in – researchers have shown that this will help your feelings of happiness, reduce feelings of despair, and make your lives more stable. Stop trying to convince yourselves that you aren’t really (that) bad (I’m not as bad as others). Only individuals can be saved, and we will all be judged individually – it is not a comparison test. Remember, God sees into your heart.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Mt 4:17)
And remember, Easter brings the hope of resurrection so follow Jesus and stay ready.