"Do Better, That's It" A Passion Sunday Reflection

Do Better, That’s It

Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7;  Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24;  Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

Sister Augusta is a Daughter of St. Paul and in March 2016, she turned 100 years old. Sister summarizes faith, “We are with Jesus. Jesus is with us. We are with Jesus. That’s it.”

These are simple words given to a convoluted world. A world of whatever goes politics and religious practices, agnostics, and atheist. It’s a world that smiles when it is called post-Christian. It’s quickly becoming a post-justice world; a world that practices injustice under the guise of advancement.

Injustice against people or groups is rampant in this world. It’s injustice that treats people as if they’re nonmembers of the human family. Bias against the color of a person’s skin, cultural identity, or social status denies them dignity. In this world, neighbor harbors hate, bigotry, and prejudice against neighbor.

It’s not Christian no matter how you package it. It’s injustice influenced by sin that even causes Christians to stumble. It’s the injustice Jesus faced. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

We know we’ve got to do better; but, what is better? Is better what’s best for self? If it’s better for me, it has to be better for the world. It’ll be better for my children. And we make better in our image of better; a better that usually profits us.

It’s better at the expense of our neighbors. Its better whispered from darkness; darkness that whispers against Jesus. Day after day I was with you in the temple and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”

The darkness uses the world. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies. There's a political saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Today, do we know the enemy.

Herod and Pilate were in agreement on Jesus in opposition to the Sanhedrin. Herod and Pilate didn't like the Jewish Temple authorities. And the Jewish  authorities didn't like them. This strengthened their ties. Neither found Jesus guilty, they gave the decision back to the peoples.

The whole assembly brought charges saying, “We found this man misleading our people; and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” The decision was religious and political.

It fulfilled prophesy of Psalms 2:1-2: Why do the nations protest and the peoples conspire in vain? Kings on earth rise up and princes plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one...

It is prophesy for today. Nations and peoples conspire. Politicians plot against God, humanity, and the Christian faith. The influences of sin, corruption, power, fanaticism, and betrayed trust stain our world and always brings injustice.

Christ’s passion and the cross were to correct wrong. The world hungers for Christ; but, we choose Barabbas. We look to politicians, cultural divas, and those who scream loudest; even if they scream injustice. They make better in their own image.

There are true disciples out there. Jesus said, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!  Pope Francis lives this; he words testify the Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint.

All of us are called to be disciples, humbling and emptying ourselves to God, being God’s servant making the world better through Christ. We won’t find better in politics or celebrity or attention hogs. We bring better to the world when we bring Christ.

How do we do this? According to 100 year young, Sr. Augusta, it’s simple, “We are with Jesus. Jesus is with us. We are with Jesus. That’s it.”

In Jesus, we do better, that’s it!

Y’all be good, y’all be holy. Preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.