Jesus, the Polarizing Influence
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administration
A comment that I read in the newspaper yesterday indicated that the U.S. Congress is more polarized at this time than it has ever been making it impossible for the members of Congress to compromise on anything. Then last night we were treated to yet another "debate" which illustrated that that polarization is not limited to the members of Congress. Indeed, the entire population of our country has been polarized by a number of different issues.
As I read the Gospel for today, I couldn't help but think that such differences of opinion are not limited to the 21st Century. St. Luke recounts for us what happened in the first century when Christianity was in its infancy. Christians were persecuted, tortured, and executed for their faith. Greek philosophers offered the opinion that great changes in our world are always preceded by times of turmoil and distress. The birth of Christianity certainly seems to bear out that assertion. Events of the past 2,000 years have also validated that kind of thinking.
The world "revolution" usually is regarded as negative. Indeed, many revolutions have been bloody affairs. However, the word itself simply indicates a change in thinking, a change in direction. Jesus was a revolutionary. One might even call him a radical revolutionary. Indeed, the cross of Calvary turned the world upside down. History is usually written by the winner. However, in the case of Jesus' passion and death, the loser actually comes out on top. He died, but he was exalted. He went down to the nether world, but he was also seated at the right hand of the Father. Although the Jewish hierarchy and the Roman Empire thought they had extinguished the flame of revolution, the fire which Jesus' death ignited continues to burn brightly. Yes, Christianity polarized the world. You were either for Jesus or against him. St. Matthew records that Jesus himself said just that.
Perhaps the time of distress and turmoil that we are enduring right now in the political, social, cultural, moral and economic arenas is simply the beginning of a new era. Apocalyptic Literature teaches us that God will eventually triumph, and those who cling to the cross will eventually be victorious.
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