24 August 2014 - let it rock

Tu est Petrus

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Because Jesus takes on human flesh for our sake there is a sense in which we must consider him one among many.  Let us look at him.  How can we tell the difference between him and the random people nearby?  Look, holiness!  Somehow he is different.  No one ever spoke like him (cf. Joh. 7:46).

But can we see the difference between that and John the Baptist?  John certainly embodies holiness, out in the desert, eating locusts, preaching repentence for forgiveness of sins.  Jesus doesn't always meet this stereotype.  He isn't know for fasting.  For some reason he has a reputation as a "glutton and a drunkard" (cf. Mat. 11:19).  Maybe they heard about that wedding in Cana.  Yet Jesus is holy.  The rich young man is right to call him good (cf. Mar. 10:18) even though God alone is good. But side by side, do we perceive more in Jesus than in John?

Do we perceive more in him than Elijah the wonder-worker?  Elijah raises the dead, calls down fire from the sky, and is taken up in a whirlwind.  Jesus does some impressive things as well.  But with Elijah being as impressive as he is and with his works being so flashy can we really see how Jesus is more?

The teachings of Jesus inspire us with hope, with love, and with zeal for our Father's house.  But can we really hear how his words are more than those of Jeremiah or one of the prophets?

We need to hear, see, and recognize in Jesus one who is not only greater than these but infinitely greater.  We need to perceive the vast gulf between creature and creator.

For from him and through him and for him are all things. 
To him be glory forever. Amen.

He doesn't just have inspiring words.  He is the very one who gives the prophets their words.  He doesn't just do mighty deeds.  He is the source of all miracles.  He isn't just holy.  He is holiness in the flesh.

We must look at him until the contrast he cuts with all others becomes evident. We cannot see this on our own.  We need the Father to reveal it to us.

For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 

We need the Church to guide us so we do not err or go astray.  The Church, like Eliakim in the first reading, is meant to provide a surrogate Father for us in the person of the successors of Peter.

He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

The Church participates in revealing the utter uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Saint John Paul the Great shows that he takes this role to heart when he writes in his first encyclical that

THE REDEEMER OF MAN, Jesus Christ, is the centre of the universe and of history.

There are none like him.  But we need to develop eyes that can see the difference.  If we use our imagination, can we even imagine someone so amazing?  Not with our "flesh and blood" unaided. After all "who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?"  He is simply more than we can compass, more than we can grasp, more than we can ask or imagine.  Yet he delights to reveal himself to children (cf. Mat. 11:25).

We are the work of his hands.  He will not forsake us.  He wants to know us in a way both close and personal. Let us not be proud, for "the proud he knows from afar."  Let us be childlike, open to the full revelation of who he is, his majesty and greatness!  He is exulted!

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple.