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Friday, February 28, 2020
3.1.2020
Jesus, Sin and Temptation
When I used to teach high school I would ask my students, “Did Jesus sin?” Often they would answer something like this: “Yes, of course. He was human.” And that is where I would point out their assumption that it is truly human to sin, as though sin itself was a defining quality of our humanity. By that reasoning, are we more human if we sin more? And isn’t it a good thing to be human? It follows that to be more human by sinning more is good, right? Umm...maybe not. In fact, sin is precisely not in keeping with our truest humanity. And when we hear of someone who has committed particularly grave sin, don’t we say things like, “How inhuman! How could another human being do that?” We know that while sin is very much a part of the “human condition,” it is not authentically human to sin. We know that we are called to a higher standard, by virtue of our being made in the image and likeness of God. The Second Vatican Council went further by reminding us that, in fact, Jesus Christ is the measure of our humanity: “The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light...Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and his love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear” (Gaudium et Spes, 22). Of course, the other reason the Church has constantly taught that Jesus was without sin is that he is also fully divine, and God cannot sin against himself. Now, was Jesus tempted? Yes! We hear all about it in the Gospel for this 1st Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4:1-11). We also read in the Letter to the Hebrews that “we do not have a high priest [Christ] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” Think of that for a moment: that Jesus was “similarly tested in every way.” That should bring us great consolation in our own 40 day retreat in the desert this Lent. There will be no bulletin next week as we will be heading into spring break. Personally, I’m looking forward to bringing 10 of our students down to Holly Springs, Mississippi to do home repair projects with Sacred Heart Southern Missions. Lauren Bollweg will be helping with that trip too. Tammy Norcross-Reitzler will be bringing 4 students to Chicago to work with Well of Mercy, a home for single mothers. Whatever you may be doing and wherever you may be going, I pray you have a safe and relaxing spring break. And let’s all commit ourselves this Lent to being more authentically human! -- Fr. Thom
Did you know Fr. Thom has a podcast? Fr. Thom and Megan Grady have started a podcast to discuss pop culture as well as topics regarding faith.
Understanding the Lenten Fast and Abstinence FASTING: Catholics age 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - only partaking in one full meal. Two other smaller meals (not equaling a full meal) and liquids are permitted. ABSTINENCE: Catholics over 14 years old must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all other Fridays of Lent. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not eggs, milk, or condiments made from animal fat. We are reminded each year that the obligation to do this penance is a serious one, but no one should be scrupulous in this regard; if health reasons or the ability to do one's work is seriously affected, these regulations do not apply.
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When I used to teach high school I would ask my students, “Did Jesus sin?” Often they would answer something like this: “Yes, of course. He was human.” And that is where I would point out their assumption that it is truly human to sin, as though sin itself was a defining quality of our humanity. By that reasoning, are we more human if we sin more? And isn’t it a good thing to be human? It follows that to be more human by sinning more is good, right? Umm...maybe not. In fact, sin is precisely not in keeping with our truest humanity. And when we hear of someone who has committed particularly grave sin, don’t we say things like, “How inhuman! How could another human being do that?” We know that while sin is very much a part of the “human condition,” it is not authentically human to sin. We know that we are called to a higher standard, by virtue of our being made in the image and likeness of God. The Second Vatican Council went further by reminding us that, in fact, Jesus Christ is the measure of our humanity: “The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light...Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and his love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear” (Gaudium et Spes, 22). Of course, the other reason the Church has constantly taught that Jesus was without sin is that he is also fully divine, and God cannot sin against himself. Now, was Jesus tempted? Yes! We hear all about it in the Gospel for this 1st Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4:1-11). We also read in the Letter to the Hebrews that “we do not have a high priest [Christ] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” Think of that for a moment: that Jesus was “similarly tested in every way.” That should bring us great consolation in our own 40 day retreat in the desert this Lent. There will be no bulletin next week as we will be heading into spring break. Personally, I’m looking forward to bringing 10 of our students down to Holly Springs, Mississippi to do home repair projects with Sacred Heart Southern Missions. Lauren Bollweg will be helping with that trip too. Tammy Norcross-Reitzler will be bringing 4 students to Chicago to work with Well of Mercy, a home for single mothers. Whatever you may be doing and wherever you may be going, I pray you have a safe and relaxing spring break. And let’s all commit ourselves this Lent to being more authentically human! -- Fr. Thom
