We remember the great incident – Passover in today’s liturgy:
it was the great work of Yahweh for his people - who were undergoing the Egyptian Slavery and cruelties.
We know Passover with out the great leader-figure of Moses is incomplete and impossible. It is he who gathered and guided those scattered people – according to the commands of God- together to the Promised Land.
Passover is not only this certain day of freedom. But it is enclosed with the various mighty works and wonders of Yahweh for the liberation of his people.
Yes, it is the celebration of the powerful victory of God: A victory not only over his “enemies” and “gentiles” but also on his own people. The great wonders were also somehow occasions to convince the wavering tribes of Israel.
The next figure close to Moses we see today, in the readings, is Jesus. We can say he is simply contrary to all the great wonders in the Old Testament. He is doing no great miracles to seize the audience. His works are simple and humble.
Washing of the foot was actually not a great service at all. It was the duty of a “slave” at that time.
Presiding over the table was also not something great in this context. Then Jesus had nothing to claim there. The meeting hall belongs to some one. We don’t know how they arranged the food. Any way we cannot expect a big financial support from Jesus for the same.
And to supply the bread and chalice was normally the duty of the eldest one in the family or in the group (if is a Passover-Meal). May be Jesus breaks the rule again for the last time?
There is in any matter nothing great to be claimed. But Jesus and his actions are commemorated at large than that of Moses or any other Old Testament figures. Why?
There is only one answer for it. Jesus did it with great love…
There is no God Figure who was so close to the man as Jesus was.
There is no God who was so down to earth to serve his fellow beings.
Yes, what he did was simple things, but the great streams of love towards his heavenly father and for the needy men and women surrounding him, made his works great. All his deeds were divinely sealed and they became lively and living to the generations. This power of love gave life to the dead, sight to the blind, strength to the weak and crippled, food for the hungry….
Passover of Jesus becomes great in this factor.
There are several theological and historical discussions regarding the day of the celebration, whether it was a Thursday or Wednesday, whether it was a normal gathering at table before the Passover feast or it was the Passover meal…
My dear friends, I would say, there is nothing serious at all.
It is not the day or the historical correctness that makes Jesus important in this world. It is his Mission and Vision.
His life and living message is important than any minor or major details and theological correctness.
Jesus is important for me and you, only because he loved the world so much as nobody loved. He loved not only his contemporary but his love leads to me and to you. It goes back to the history too. Then he was before “Abraham”. Yes, his love will go beyond time and space and cultures and languages.
Then his message is love and life.
He gives the message, that god is active and living. He is not a visitor on a Passover day. He is more than that a living experience in my life. He is living through my actions and words. The service of Jesus – washing of the foot and breaking the bread - to the disciples becomes a sign and symbol for my daily life. I am partaking in his Passover with my humble service to the humans- by opening the opportunities of caring and life-giving love.
Let us not miss the great chances of our life. They may be so simple and humble works. But let us do them with great love and dedication.
Let it change my life, my family, my community and my world:
That is the message of Jesus for me and you in this Passover.
Let the Angel of God pass over our lives.
Let him annihilate what is unnecessary in my life.
Let him replace a loving and caring heart and a God-trusting faith.
Let us not seek the special and extraordinary works, but fulfil our simple missions in love. May God bless us all with his love. Amen!
--
Fr Thomas Kalathil
No comments:
Post a Comment