Commentary on the Gospel of
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Today’s first reading speaks of the visible and invisible realms. In my youth, I recall a science film that begins with young people sitting in a park. The camera moves above and away from them, demonstrating exponential increases in distance. Before too long, our planet is a small blue marble in space that eventually becomes indistinguishable within a sea of stars and darkness. After returning to ground level, the camera journeyed again in the opposite direction, this time illustrating negative exponents. The viewer enters into an otherwise invisible realm that can only be perceived with special instruments, and beyond, perhaps only in theory.
Many mysteries remain. Within the natural world, many hidden realms are occluded from view. We may lack the proper instruments. The interior lives of others may remain hidden unless they choose to disclose them. Other realms, such as heaven and the angels, are apparently hidden by design, as some information has been revealed but other details remain shrouded in mystery. Whether the occlusion is purposeful, the product of willful blindness, or the product of simple ignorance, it is hard not to be conscious of our limitations.
The first reading reminds us that our Lord was there when all of those mysteries came into being, and he is not mystified by any of them. His preeminence stands over the entire created realm, visible and invisible, natural and supernatural. We state this whenever we recite the Nicene Creed. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ is not like us, despite his incarnation. This inspires our worship.
In today’s gospel, the scribes and Pharisees challenge our Lord because he is not conforming to their expectations. They draw a comparison from experiences within the visible realm, using a small sample that includes John the Baptist (good choice) and their own disciples (dubious, but I will play along). Those holy people fasted and abstained from common things to show their separation from the world. Instead, Jesus embraces the world with gusto and has a good time with his disciples. (In other texts, we learn that he even ate and drank with sinners!) What’s up, Jesus?
Jesus responded with parables, including a lesson about a wedding feast. We recently attended a wedding in which the young couple was reminded that a lifelong adventure was beginning, which may well include danger, trials, and suffering. We hope not right away, as the couple needs time for their love to grow stronger. Jesus states plainly that fasting will come later, but just not now.
The love that sustains us through difficulties and trials usually does not come all at once, but little by little. Trials test us, which can help us grow if we are open to them. Trials may prove that we can bear up, building our confidence for even greater ones ahead. Or they may simply illustrate where we remain weak, showing us we need more training and building our humility and reliance upon God. The saints show us this path by their stories about growing into sainthood.
We like the thrill of adventure, but not the difficulties it might present. We want a roller coaster that provides safe thrills, but no danger. But that is not real life. To avoid risk, we will naturally prefer the old wine and the old paths that we know, but perhaps we are being called to taste new wine that will be even better than the old! Are we open to the prospects of an adventure with God? Lord, when we pause to see them, the visible realms you have made are adorned with your majesty. Help us also to sense the invisible realms, including invisible needs that may be nearby. We praise you because you made all things, and you are preeminent in all of your creation, even those dimensions we do not understand. Nothing we encounter can displace your sustaining love and care for us. Thanks be to God. |
