Lent V

Lent V 2016 – Cycle C Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

A person with an addiction: gambling, over working, pornography, religion, television, smoking, alcohol, the need for attention, sex, drugs, hoarding, over eating, the accumulation of wealth, internet, (Clearly, anything can become an addiction.) – such a person will often in the end give everything up, be willing to lose everything of value for the gnawing within them: friends, employment, family, reputation, marriage, freedom, health.

• Is there anything in each of our lives that has greater control over us; has acquired a greater value than our desire to be in relationship with Jesus Christ?

Consider what professional and Olympian athletes to concert pianists, Wall Street stock traders to politicians are willing to give up to pursue their goals of performing, making money and winning. Even when providing the goods things of sport, governance and music, people are willing to take a loss.

•  What have you and I willing forfeited so as to be possessed by Jesus Christ?

Consider what parents willingly give over in raising their children; their own dreams and the possibilities of future advancement so their children can have a better life. Their lives are marked by worry, even to the point of offering their own lives when their children are seriously sick or have died. I have often heard on the lips of parents, the words of King David when he heard of the death of his rebellious son, Absalom: “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” [2 Samuel 19:1]

• For, “the supreme good” as Paul calls it, have we been willing to set aside even our best hopes, our desires for the future and the good things of this life to more deeply know Jesus?

The Apostle Paul reflects back over his privileges and achievements. He was a circumcised member of the House of Israel, the Chosen People of God. He was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee that fully followed the Mosaic Law and was blameless in virtue and who thus zealously persecuted what was perceived as a Jewish heretical group, the early church [See Philippians 3:4b-6]. Not a bad résumé for a Hebrew!

• I expect each of us have our achievements: academic degrees, community involvement, professional development and titles, positions of care and authority within our family, character strengths of leadership, self-confidence and reliance. All good aspects of our lives that we have worked hard to acquire, often for the good of others. Have you reflected on what value your achievements have in our self-evaluation when compared to knowing Jesus Christ?

Paul’s self-reflection brings him to conclude, “I consider everything a loss in light of the surpassing knowledge of my Saviour Jesus Christ, for whose sake I have forfeited everything. I count everything else as garbage so that Christ may be my wealth. All I want is to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection. And how to share in Christ’s suffering…” [See Philippians 3:7-10]

In comparison it says much about our society that when you search for images in regard to the word, ‘loss’; “I consider everything a loss…” We are a people obsessed with losing weight, monetary profits, hair, and hearing. And what will we obtain in return? Not bad tradeoffs: health, security, self-esteem, and a return from the isolation imposed by hearing loss. Yet, what are even these “goods” in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ?

“All I want is to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection. And how to share in Christ’s suffering…”

What are you and I willing to forfeit so as to possess and be possessed by Jesus Christ?