I have to admit that I definitely prefer the gospel passage where Jesus proclaims himself the Good Shepherd to this one read in today’s Mass which promises persecution and betrayal. The Good Shepherd who looks after his flock, keeping them safe from predators, rescuing them when they are lost, guiding them home, sleeping at the entrance to the sheepfold.
How could the same Jesus who promised me security and safety also tell me that I would be betrayed, persecuted, handed over, hated, and possibly lose my life?
For many years I pushed this passage to the back of my mind. There is certainly no bookmark in my Bible so that I could locate it quickly for meditation.
Today’s Gospel passage is one that makes us cringe. Is what Jesus says going to happen to us? To me? Or was Jesus just talking about the Twelve?
A few short verses after this passage, Judas betrays Jesus, Jesus gives us his body and blood at the Last Supper, and he walks the road to Calvary, a condemned prisoner betrayed by one of his own followers, hated, persecuted, handed over. Then he was put to death on a cross between two thieves.
“You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.”
While we may not be persecuted and put to death for the sake of Christ, every day comes with its own share of suffering. It is the courageous embracing of life’s struggles today that prepares us to embrace the cross in larger ways tomorrow that, yes, could even cost us our life.
The words of a therapist many years ago have stuck with me. In fact, they are the only words of his I remember: “Everything is okay. And even when they are not okay, they are still okay.” With time and the wisdom of years, I have learned that he was so right. No matter what has happened to me “not a hair on my head has been destroyed.” Yes, it is true that I have suffered loss of health, humiliation, pain, marginalization. Even as the tears cleansed and purged and healed, even as sadness ripped through my heart, I knew that somehow in God I was okay.
Jesus handed himself over to death because he was operating in the larger reality of divine and never-ending Love, and so it all had meaning. It all made sense. It was all okay. “Not a hair of his head was destroyed.”
When we pursue pleasure and fear pain, when we try to avoid death, when we are paralyzed by the idea of change that will cost us the perks and privileges of our lifestyle, the walls of human and spiritual destiny close in on us. Instead, when we face into the headwinds of reality with the courage that comes only through trust that we are indeed loved, when we choose to stand by the side of Jesus who alone is Truth, when we live by the beatitudes, when we bow before the Lord who calls us to walk the way to Calvary with him, our spirit expands and our soul is gradually overtaken by a supernatural joy beyond description.
On most days I probably would prefer to read the gospel of the Good Shepherd, but in reality, this is the gospel passage I most need to hear. To live in the world today with all its tempests and troubles one needs to be strong enough to trust in the always-greater reality of Love so that no matter what happens we can go forward knowing that “not a hair of our head will be destroyed.”
Praying with this Passage of Scripture
Lectio Divina is a way of listening to God as he speaks in his Word. It is a practice of communicating with God through Scripture and attending to God’s presence and what he wishes to tell us. In this slow and prayerful reading of the Word of God, we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit who forms us into the image of Christ. There are four movements in Lectio Divina: Read (lectio), Meditate (meditation), Pray (oratio), Contemplate (contemplation).
Begin by finding a still space to pray. Breathe deeply and become quieter within. Abandon any agenda, worries or thoughts you bring to this prayer and entrust these things to the merciful care of God. Ask for the grace to be receptive to what God will speak to you through this Scripture reading. Grant me, Jesus Divine Master, to be able to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God and your unfathomable riches. Grant that your word penetrate my soul; guide my steps, and brighten my way till the day dawns and darkness dissipates, you who live and reign forever and ever Ame
Read (lectio)
Begin by slowly and meditatively reading your Scripture passage out loud. Listen for a particular word or phrase that speaks to you at this moment and sit with it for a time.
“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.
Meditate (meditatio)
Read the same passage a second time. As you re-engage the text, let the word or phrase that stood out become your invitation to speak from your heart with God who wishes to share his heart with you. Allow this word or phrase to wash over you and permeate your thoughts and feelings. You may wish to repeat this phrase quietly and gently for a period of time
Pray (oratio)
Read the text a third time. Listen for what God is saying to you. Speak heart to heart with God. Notice the feelings that this conversation with God raises up within you. Share with God what you notice about your response to this conversation. You may wish to return to repeating the phrase quietly and gently, allowing it to permeate you more and more deeply.
Contemplate (contemplatio)
Read the text a final time. Now be still and rest in God’s embrace. Ask God to give you a gift to take with you from this prayer. You might ask God if he is inviting you to do some action, for instance, make some change in your thoughts, attitudes or reactions, in the way you speak or how you treat others. Thank God for this gift and invitation as you conclude your prayer.
Image: Angie Menes via Cathopic
Touching the Sunrise 
Thanks for sharing your experience of the Eucharistic Congress. I was not able to attend but I was moved by the news I heard to a more profound participation in the TV Mass daily. The more we all can exchange our realization of the great gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, the more we can help one another grow in love for him. Again thanks for your insights.
Alison
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