Gospel Reflection: April 11th, 2025
Sin and Death vs. Christ
I hear the whisperings of many:
"Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!"
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
"Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him."
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion…
From: Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent | USCCB
Approaching the Passion of our Lord, the readings dig into the deep ugliness, horror and existential ‘terror’ of sin that only human beings and fallen angels can be responsible for, through sin. Yet we find that such ugliness stands in juxtaposition to the saints who praise God for his advocacy, and goodness.
Recently I’ve been struggling with some difficult news about close family members who are suffering terminal illnesses. There is an ugliness to death, and a sadness to this very unnatural fate we all must face. In the midst of feeling the pain and concern, and anticipating the loss, a temptation came to me, whereby I could choose look to Christ as the one who ‘allows' these things to happen, and in that vein, make him into the “bad-guy.”
My whole life I have never - not once - ever been angry with God. I count this as nothing more than a grace of faith. I count it as such as many others have struggled with this - but for some odd reason, I haven’t. Yet in this moment of temptation, it was proposed to my mind that I could turn on Christ as if this was something He would be at blame for. My conscience, being well formed, didn’t relent, but quickly responded, “He is the only one who has an actual plan to address death and sin.” A spirit of fight was born in me to defend God, who is my champion in all situations, especially one such as this.
Our Lord is the mighty champion over sin and death. We at times, can get tunnel vision with what we might endure in this life, and become short sited. Yet Christ sees all, and is already at the end of our story before we begin our own. He is our advocate, our vindicator, and the lover of our family, friends, enemies, and self.
This beauty in God will always outshine the ugliness we must face. But it is nonetheless an incredible grace of faith to be able to cooperate with that true narrative about God and our circumstances. Many cannot cope, accept, and process grief that comes from sin and death. Many want someone to blame. It is the enemy who inspires us to turn on the only one who has a solution - who is the savior.
The choice is ours to cling to God, and even thank Him as we face such horror. Like the Gospel, we may try to stone the one person who has a solution to the finality of death and dysfunction of sin, or we can give Him the benefit of the doubt, and even in the midst of challenge be swept up in His goodness and trust Him. What do you choose?