From
pride, self-sufficiency and the unwillingness to admit our own need
of your compassion; Savior, deliver us. -- Litany for the
Mission of the Church
Yesterday
I was at the cathedral in Baltimore for the Reaffirmation of
Ordination Vows. This is an annual service done in the early days of
Holy Week at dioceses across the church. For the most part it is a
time for clergy to gather, to say, “Yes,” once more to this
calling we have answered, and to talk with each other about the
positive things happening in our various congregations and
ministries.
We
are in the middle of Holy Week. The Triduum begins tomorrow evening
with a meal, a foot washing, an arrest, and the abandonment of Jesus.
That is followed by a crucifixion, a burial, and, God-willing, a
resurrection.
As
I was praying this litany during the service yesterday, I was
thinking about everything going on in the world and everything to
come in the next few days. It seems appropriate at this time that
the troubles of the world and the events to come seem to mesh
together so well.
In
the world, we have become polarized over every issue. There seems to
be no middle ground, only my way. It appears, also, that there are
no discussions between sides, only attacks, counter-attacks,
name-calling, and attempts to defame and marginalize those with whom
you disagree. If we follow this course of action, people on Side A
will only be happy when those on Side B are eventually annihilated.
Over
the next few days we are called to observe and participate in a
liturgy that spans three days. During that time we also become
involved in a polarizing event – the world vs. God. And in a
strange twist of fate, we ourselves represent the world. For a time,
we cannot abide the notion of Jesus and all that he represents, so we
call for his crucifixion in an attempt to annihilate and remove him
from our lives.
For
a time in this three-day liturgy we suffer from pride,
self-sufficiency and the unwillingness to admit our own need of
Jesus' compassion.
Unfortunately
it is not just these few days in which we suffer that way. Pride
prevents us from having meaningful conversations and searching for
consensus. Self-sufficiency causes us to ignore our need for the
saving presence of Christ and feeding us the lie that everything
revolves around me. And both of these harden our hearts, like those
who called for his crucifixion, to the understanding that we are
called to show the same compassion to others that Jesus did.
As
this week and this liturgy unfolds, let us be willing to confront our
own pride, challenge our desire for self-sufficiency, recognize our
need for compassion, and risk being compassionate to others.
Blessings,
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