Lent Continues

In a small meditation book I am reading for the days of Lent, the following thought was very powerful: "First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out.  Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unions, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.  Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out.  And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak for me." These are the words of Martin Niemoeller, "one of Germany’s most successful U-boat commanders during World War I.  After a few years in politics, he decided to study theology and was ordained in 1929.  Although initially a supporter of the Nazis, the Lutheran pastor grew more and more critical of Hitler in the years leading up to World War II.  Eventually, Niemoeller was accused of "abusing the pulpit" with his criticism of Nazi policy, and he was arrested several times.  Niemoeller’s final arrest came in 1938.  He spent the next seven years in various concentration camps.  He ended up in Dachau, from which he was liberated by the Allies in 1945."

The author of this quote which is from "The Little Black Book," reflects on St. John’s account of the Passion of Jesus.  This quote is followed by a reflection on Pilate who can see Jesus as innocent, but is about to condemn him anyway.  St. John presents Pilate walking in and out of his palace six times in an attempt to free Jesus.  But no one speaks up for Jesus.  He is left to stand alone as the religious leaders rile up the crowd and get them to join with them in the cry: "Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!"

At times we are called to speak up for others and ourselves.  Most of the time there is a little more passion when we are the victims of injustice or a wrong.  During the past month in this column I have spoken about our challenge and responsibility to speak up for the unborn threatened by abortion, by refusing to vote for politicians who support and champion this evil.

As I reflect further I think, "Who is going to speak for me when I die?" The first voice we all hope and trust that will speak for us will be the voice of Jesus as he says, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We are very aware of our faults and failures.  That is where our hope and trust in God’s merciful words of forgiveness and words of unconditional love give courage, inspiration, strength and life to us.

Everyday we get closer to the end of our journey through this world.  Everyday we have the invitation and opportunity to speak to God in words of prayer that express our hopes, sorrow, petitions, and most of all, gratitude. The more grateful we are for all God has done for us and been with us, the more confident we become that in the end he will speak for us and to us.

This week we prayerfully reflect on the events that culminated in the Resurrection which will begin the Easter season and which we will celebrate for fifty days.  The road to life after death was paved with injustice, denial, betrayal and abandonment.  Only those who falsely accused Jesus spoke up.  But Jesus spoke also.  His words were not in defense of himself, but continued to his last breath to communicate forgiveness, mercy and love.  "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."  "Son there is your mother, mother, there is your Son."  "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."  This is our time to allow ourselves to be refreshed and renewed by God’s love in Jesus.  It is not so much a time to question or express concerns, but a time to behold Jesus with wonder and awe.  That will lead to very grateful hearts, hearts that are filled with Easter joy that expresses itself with words of alleluia.  Yes, praise God!  Thank God!  He has spoken his words of love for us through his words and actions.  It is those words we will listen for when our time comes to leave this world and enter fully into God’s presence. 

Father Walden