MUSINGS - The finger of God

Some time back the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published Dominus Jesu (The Lord Jesus). The theological and political firestorm that it set off was incredible. Yes, I actually mean "incredible," that is, "So implausible as to elicit disbelief" (see Dictionary.com).

Listening to those who had taken issue with the declaration, you might have reasonably concluded that the Catholic Church must have declared a new dogma. But Dominus Jesu had done no such thing. On the contrary, it simply restated the Church's fundamental conviction regarding Jesus Christ of Nazareth:

+ That "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself" (2 Corithians 5:19)
+ That "in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9), and
+ That "there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we might be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Do not doubt it! This is the stuff of controversy. But it is salutary for Christians to remember that there is nothing new here. Jesus' claims about his unique relationship to the Father provoked powerful responses when he uttered them 2000 years ago. When the apostles proclaimed the Gospel to their contemporaries, some were scandalized while others thought them fools (see 1 Corinthians 1: 23-24). If this is the kind of reception that the Gospel originally received from many when it was first proclaimed, we ought not to be surprised when it provokes similar reactions today.

Today's Gospel reading reminds believers that Jesus' claims have always stirred the crowds. By the grace of God, some were moved to worship and obedience ~ and their lives were never the same again! But, it reminds us especially that there were other reactions...

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?"
The Jews answered him,
"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God."
Jesus answered them,
"...If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." (John 10:31-34)

When Christians are caught in some storm of controversy about our Lord, we ought to avoid the dual temptations of defensiveness or acquiescence. We may avoid the first by pointing to Jesus' actions and words. The other temptation may be quieted by recalling that some of Jesus' most passionate opponents were later to become his most ardent followers!

A few weeks after the events recorded here, some of these same people would come to place their faith in Christ (Acts 15:5; Philippians 3:5). They would come to recognize in Jesus' actions "the finger of God" (Luke 11:20)

Today's Readings: Friday, April 7th, 2006.