3rd Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2016
10 AM Liturgy
J.A. Loftus, S.J.
“We cannot make life safe, nor God tame.” Those words are
from Barbara Taylor Brown, a marvelous spiritual author and
Presbyterian minister. They are a great summary of what today’s
readings are really about.
But let’s start with a recap. We are almost halfway through
Lent. And we have been guided by some wonderful scripture
readings. On Ash Wednesday we were all offered a practical piece
of advise from Jesus. Whatever you “do” for Lent, whatever fasting,
whatever prayer, whatever almsgiving, first go into your room, shut
the door, and do it in private.
As we were signed with the cross in ashes we were told to
remember that the cross signifies that we are already redeemed.
In the famous words of a Walter Burkhart homily at Georgetown,
“For God’s sake, in Lent, look redeemed!”
The following Sunday we heard the story of Jesus’ own
temptations. He knew exactly what you and I face I our lives; he’s
been there before us. We also heard from Moses and the memory
of Abraham and God’s first Promise to Israel.
Last week in addition to Moses again, we saw what awaited
Jesus as he morphed on the mountain. It awaits all of us in some
fashion too. But we only rarely experience bits and pieces of what
it might feel like here in this life.
Great readings all to get us started in another Lent. But then
we have today’s readings. We have one of the most familiar and
evocative scripture passages in the whole bible, Moses and the
burning bush. And then we have one of the most ambiguous and
enigmatic passages in the New Testament. Are they supposed to
“go together” somehow? Are there lessons here for us to take home
this Lent? Let’s see.
Exodus first: Moses is wandering round Mount Horeb with
the in-law’s flock when he is distracted by a burning bush. He
decides to take time out and take a look, to digress, to investigate.
Do you suppose there might be a lesson right there? Maybe you
have to be curious about strange happenings to find God
sometimes. We all may have to stop what we’re doing and take a
look at strange stuff sometimes.
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But then God speaks. God reminds Moses that God is holy.
And so is God’s ground. “Take off your shoes; this is holy ground
you walk on!” This scene is very popular with artists. It has been
painted a gazillion times and even sung about in many versions.
One version you may recognize written by our own pastor and his
assistant (Fr. Bob and Paul Melley). “Take off your shoes, this is
holy ground you walk on!”
But then Moses asks God, “Who shall I say sent me?” And God
offers one of the most enigmatic lines in human history. God says,
“Tell them I AM sent you.”
There may be some here who think they know what that
means. Don’t be so sure. There are various translations attempted
over the centuries. Some versions have “I will be who I will be.”
Others suggest the simple, “I AM, who I AM.” Not terribly helpful to
me, I’m afraid. A lengthier translation is, “I AM who brings all that
exists into existence.” Lots of choices.
The simple reality is that none of the scholars of the
scriptures nor even the philologists have a clue. It remains a
deeply mysterious response. Sr. Dianne Bergant says of this
passage, ‘this is a God who reveals and conceals at the same time.”
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One last attempt at translation suggests, God says,“Tell them
Mystery has spoken.” I wonder if that might be the closest to
reality?
To move on: it is often said that the Old Testament is
confusing. But Jesus usually clears things up in his story. But not
today, friends. St. Luke’s story is at least as confusing as Exodus.
Jesus seems almost angry at the disciples who want him to
explain a great political sacrilege (Pilate mixing the blood of the
rebels with sacrificial blood). Instead of explaining it as having any
religious significance at all (no sin here), Jesus condemns them, the
questioners. Go figure! And then they move to the construction
accident (the fallen tower at Siloam) and want a religious
explanation for natural disasters (who sinned here?). They get a
double condemnation.
To make matters even more confusing, Jesus returns to one of
his favorite illustrations, the infamous fig tree. I don’t know about
you, but this is all very confusing to me. And at least I know I am
not alone. One thing I found consoling was that it almost seems
like Jesus just lost his train of thought here. He seems in a different
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world. I like considering that possibility because, God knows, I can
relate to that as I get older.
But just maybe there is a serious “take-home” for Lent here.
God’s name is impenetrable; God’s son is illusive and sometimes
confusing. That can actually be consoling. Remember that in Karl
Rahner’s words, what we are always dealing with, God’s real name,
is Ultimate Mystery. As Terrence Klein puts it is this weeks
America, “The problem with God—and even God’s friends will
admit this—is God’s illusiveness. Just when you think you’ve had a
solid experience of God…God disappears.”
Barbara Taylor Brown’s comment may be more profound that
it first seems. “We cannot make life safe, nor God tame.” We stand
here today, at this altar, with Ultimate Mystery, with the God of all
that has been (The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob); we stand
before the God of all that is (here and now, today); and we stand
before the God of all that shall yet become (our fondest and best
dreams). This Lent, maybe we should just take off our shoes and
look around. This IS holy ground we walk on. And Lent continues.
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