March 28th, Saturday, Fourth Week of Lent

Jeremiah 11: 18-20, Psalm 7: 2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12, John 7: 40-53

The gospel today reminds us that Jesus was a charismatic speaker who changed the hearts of those who really heard his message (the officers). It also reminds us that there were some people who were so entrenched in the way things had always been that they couldn’t open their eyes to a new way of thinking (the Pharisees). And there were also those who believed Jesus’ message, believed he was the Messiah, but were too afraid to openly say so (Nicodemus). I have to wonder, what group am I in? I think of myself as someone who is open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. I would like to believe that I am so moved by Christ’s message that every choice I make reflects my Christian beliefs, but I think, truthfully, I am more likely to be like Nicodemus -silently routing for Jesus, working behind the scenes for His success, but a little too timid to always speak openly on His behalf.

It reminds me of the anti-bullying training I have had as a teacher. There are usually three groups involved in a bullying situation. There is the bully, there is the bullied, and there is the bystander. I think I am sometimes a faith bystander, getting so caught up in the day to day distractions and unimportant rumblings that I forget to put Christ in the center of my life. I get lazy in my faith and distance myself from Him when He is inconvenient.

There was recently a series of advertisements for an insurance company, and the ending line was, “Everyday there are millions of people who choose to do the right thing.” Choosing to do the right thing is hard sometimes, but I know Christ gives me that opportunity every day. When I choose it, I am always rewarded with the sense of peace that comes from doing the right thing.

Carla Spanier, married to Mark, mother of Patrick and Nicholas