Fearful they were for they knew what the Roman occupiers had done and could do with those seen as troublemakers. And Jesus was a troublemaker. The temple leadership, also fearful but for other reasons, collaborating with the Romans to maintain their power and authority, just wanted this man out of their way.
The disciples hid. Today’s disciples are hiding in Gaza. At Holy Family Parish, where there is no food, water, or medicine, surrounded by Israeli soldiers, the nuns have taken in about 300 people, including the disabled children they care for. This is the place where an elderly woman and her daughter were shot by Israeli snipers. Clearly a threat.
Troublemakers are threats, targeted because they speak and act for peace just as did Jesus. How we respond to violence is a test for our times as it was at the time of Jesus. Some of us, like the disciples, hide in fear. Others, not knowing what might happen, act out of hope and faith that something will change. Which are we?
Prayer for the Day
Afraid of what might happen to us, O God, we hide,
For we know the forces of the world are strong;
Anxious for our own safety and security, we are silent,
But you cannot blame us, O God, for backing off.
We search for your Presence, O Lord, to give us strength,
For we feel empty and alone without you.
In the name of the One who offers us strength,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
Plato, Greek philosopher (429-347 BCE)
The shadow of fear and uncertainty lies over most of us; for us the future seems far from being as clear and as open as we thought it would be.
Faith Baldwin, American novelist (1893-1978)
O Lord my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
Or like a lion, they will tear me apart; they will drag me away, with no one to rescue.
Psalm 7:1-2
Fearful they were for they knew what the Roman occupiers had done and could do with those seen as troublemakers. And Jesus was a troublemaker. The temple leadership, also fearful but for other reasons, collaborating with the Romans to maintain their power and authority, just wanted this man out of their way.
The disciples hid. Today’s disciples are hiding in Gaza. At Holy Family Parish, where there is no food, water, or medicine, surrounded by Israeli soldiers, the nuns have taken in about 300 people, including the disabled children they care for. This is the place where an elderly woman and her daughter were shot by Israeli snipers. Clearly a threat.
Troublemakers are threats, targeted because they speak and act for peace just as did Jesus. How we respond to violence is a test for our times as it was at the time of Jesus. Some of us, like the disciples, hide in fear. Others, not knowing what might happen, act out of hope and faith that something will change. Which are we?
Prayer for the Day
Afraid of what might happen to us, O God, we hide,
For we know the forces of the world are strong;
Anxious for our own safety and security, we are silent,
But you cannot blame us, O God, for backing off.
We search for your Presence, O Lord, to give us strength,
For we feel empty and alone without you.
In the name of the One who offers us strength,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
Plato, Greek philosopher (429-347 BCE)
The shadow of fear and uncertainty lies over most of us; for us the future seems far from being as clear and as open as we thought it would be.
Faith Baldwin, American novelist (1893-1978)
O Lord my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
Or like a lion, they will tear me apart; they will drag me away, with no one to rescue.
Psalm 7:1-2