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I Come That You May Have Life
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In the sixties Joni Mitchell sang a song, "I've
looked at life from both sides now. From win and lose and still
somehow ‑ its life's illusions I recall. I really don't know life at
all." Many people feel shortchanged or cheated where life is
concerned. What did Jesus mean when He said He came to give us abundant
life? Jesus tells us today, "I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full."
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Life, I do not think that there is any other word that
is more expressive of Easter. The gospel of John has been called the
Gospel of Life. John makes it clear that this is why he wrote the gospel
that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that
believing you may have life in His name. What does being alive say to
you? What does it mean for you to be alive?
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It, of course, means different things to different
people. So many things can make us feel alive - Lazarus emerging from
the tomb, astronauts walking on the moon, a child licking an ice cream.
Each of these is very much alive. We can all think of time when we have
felt gloriously alive and so brimful of life that it almost hurts.
Hopefully, many such occasions will fill our lives. Perhaps, it was the
first time you held your newborn child. It may have been something as
ordinary as skiing downhill at a tremendous speed or just downing an ice
cold beer on a hot day. On these occasions life can be wonderful and
you hate to miss a moment of it. We can all enumerate those things that
thrill us and that make our everyday life worthwhile.
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But, what does it mean to be alive in Christ? What is
John talking about when he tells us that he has written his gospel so
that we may believe in Christ and have life. Christ's life? It means
that you in some way try to be like Him and that might not be easy. He
immersed Himself in our broken world. He loved people who were flawed.
They were harlots, tax collectors and thieves. He loved people whom
others feared like the lepers and the demon‑possessed. Instead of
condemning his torturers, He forgave them.
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His love did not entail big emotional outbursts or
passionate proclamations. He loved by serving or by washing his friends'
feet and by healing those who were desperate and abandoned. In the 33
years He walked among us, Christ turned the whole world upside down. He
told us the poor are rich, the last one is first, the meek are blessed
and the dead are alive. Trying to follow His path can seem frustrating
and impossible at times.
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Many years ago when I was at school at Catholic
University in Washington, DC, Fr. Henri Nouwen came to give a talk. Fr
Nouwen is a great spiritual writer. If you go to the Graymoor Bookstore
you will find a whole shelf of his books. Fr. Nouwen had dedicated much
of his life to working with mentally handicapped people. He was a true
servant in all he did.
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Fr. Nouwen brought one of his mentally handicapped
friends, Bill, up to the podium. It was a big deal for Bill and the
first time he was to speak in public. He and Fr. Nouwen had practiced
what he was going to say and how he would say it for a week. But when
Bill got to the podium to help Father with his talk, he saw for the
first time how many people were there. He looked up and was blinded by
the lights. He got nervous and all he could do was to lay his head on Fr
Nouwen's shoulder and cry. Father put his arm around his shoulder and
calmed him down as he filled in for Bill. At the end of the talk there
was a standing ovation. As Fr Nouwen gave Bill a handkerchief to dry his
tears, you could hear him say ‑ "Wave, Bill, they are clapping for you." A smiling and happy Bill waved with both hands.
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The conference attendees felt we had been present at a
scene from the New Testament, Jesus ministering to the mentally
handicapped. It reminded the academic community of the real purpose of
being Church. It is not just about degrees and building programs, not
just about fancy sermons and long devotions. It is about being other
Christs and that may mean standing next to each other and providing a
shoulder for weeping. Whenever goodness is shared, tears are dried,
comfort is given or charity is done, there is the Life of Christ. Then
you will not sing with Joni Mitchell ‑ "I really don't know life at all". Life in Christ is Christ in us. But, it is not enough just to have it. We must live it.
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In the Fifth Century Pope Leo the Great said ‑ "Christians,
recognize your dignity and live your Christian life. A god‑man took on
human form because of you. He died for you so that you might live for
God and each other. God lives in you that you might live for Him. So,
recognize that dignity and you will recognize your calling. You are
Christ‑bearers, act like Christ‑bearers. You are called to greatness,
then be great."
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Ask yourself a question: Can anyone tell that Christ makes any difference in your life?
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Yours in Christ,
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Fr. Robert Warren, S.A.
Spiritual Director
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P.S. Join the Friars of the Atonement for our special Mother's Day Mass at Graymoor on Sunday, May 14th.
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Will you send your most heartfelt petitions to me now
for those mothers in our lives who have given freely and selflessly of
themselves for their children? I pray that Mother's Day brings the
special women in your life many blessings, moments bright with promise
and memories warm with love.
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