JESUS’ JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM: THE JOURNEY OF SALVATION AND LIFE
Each year thousands of pilgrims make their way to Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem. For many, it fulfils a lifetime dream if they can say, “I walked where Jesus walked.” Many consider this journey a spiritual journey, walking with Jesus through those critical hours surrounding His crucifixion and resurrection. Our Pilgrimage Committee is out registering Brothers and Sisters for the next pilgrimage and I encourage many Marshallans to fulfil this dream. For this year’s Easter triduum we have by the abuse of the freewill given us so disturbed ‘our common home’ such that a pandemic has seized our very freedom.
JESUS’ JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
In chapters 9-20 of the Gospel according St. Luke, the author mentions Jesus’ movement toward Jerusalem several times (Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross). He uses this repetition to signal a decisive turn in Jesus’ ministry.
In the fullness of time, Jesus had to finish the mission of our salvation. In fulfilment of scripture, the Lord Jesus had to travel to Jerusalem in order that the mission could be accomplished. In this we consider Jesus who journeys to Jerusalem, in full knowledge of what laid ahead of Him.
Through toil and peril, the Lord endured to his destination with the sole desire to fulfil the plan of his father. For us, this journey serves a two-fold purpose; it is our Life and our Salvation. It is a foreshadow of our earthly journey to our eternal destination, the New Jerusalem. In sweet abandon, he teaches us how to reject the praise of men (not to trust the sweet words of men) and rely on God for our sustenance.
Following the teachings of Jesus on this journey will aid us to sacrifice our pleasures and sin, and persevere in following him and Instructing others on this life-giving experience. This journey, a bitter sweet experience, expresses hope and the love of our God for us.
THE JOURNEY TO THE CROSS IS THE JOURNEY OF SALVATION.
When Jesus went to the cross, He had to give up all rights to be accepted. He had to be willing to be rejected. He was and stayed focused on his mission because he was much concerned about the end; our salvation. Salvation indeed is not something achieved on a silver platter. We have to accept the fact that, we will go through toils, pains, rejections, among others, in our journey towards salvation.
Think about this: one of his best friends, Peter, denied him three times. In fact, a lot of the people turned on Jesus because He wasn’t fulfilling their dreams of rescuing them from the Romans. And the three friends who went to pray with Him fell asleep on Him. He was misunderstood even when He cried out to His father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus most importantly did not give up on His mission. He persevered, stayed focus and even encouraged others. On our journey of salvation, we need to imitate these examples of Christ on his journey.
It is only then that we will encounter the Easter experience. Never give up, keep hoping, humble yourself and trust in the Divine Providence of the Lord. Even if it is COVID19 the corona virus or people who see themselves as power blocks continue to trust in the Lord, nothing is beyond his scope.
WHAT DOES THE CROSS REVEAL TO US ABOUT WHO GOD IS?
It may appear unwise to lay a cross upon a man that is journeying, because it is apparently arduous; but there is this difference between a temporal journey and the spiritual one: the cross does not enfeeble, it only makes us sensitive to the weakness that exists.
Indeed, in this journey it is generally found that he whose cross is the heaviest makes the greatest progress. The cross which the Christian carries is not selected by himself, but it is appointed by God. Sometimes it is outward affliction; other times inward temptations, as is best suited to the character and circumstances of the individual. Everyone must be willing and ready to carry his cross journeying with Christ. This is the journey of life. We all have our crosses so we should endeavour not to be crosses onto others.
To you who are going quite another road, the question is where do you expect to end your journey? Do you hope to be saved at the last minute? On what are your expectations founded?
The end of the journey with Christ comes to its fulfilment at last when we together with Christ will rise up at our final Easter.
As Marshallans, we have a story to tell and that story is the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. St Paul says “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). We are challenged even in this 21st century to go out and respond to the command of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19. But to better respond to this command, we must first of all have that personal encounter with Jesus Christ because we cannot give what we do not have.
Personal reflection:
What does it mean to be a Catholic? (I invite each person to reflect on this very question throughout the month of April). I strongly believe a sincere reflection will help us understand the Catholic Church and also come to appreciate the richness of the Catholic teachings.
Secondly we may want to search our innermost selves to find out why the whole world is being plagued by this virus which has changed our paradigm such that we do not even attend congregational Holy Mass and have been separated depriving us of our normal socialization. Has God abandoned us? Have we lost His mercy? There are many questions we ought to find answers to but this period of Easter provides a providential opportunity for us to get nearer, to denounce our many shortcomings and be purified to be able to get back to his friendship again. Our song should be CH353 ‘I come to you once more my God’
May our reflection on the journey of Christ help in purifying us and draw us closer to the FATHER.
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness,
In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offences truly I know them;
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence
and be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help;
with a spirit of fervour sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper,
And my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice a contrite spirit.
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favour to Sion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
Holocausts offered on your alter.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen