By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Several years ago saw the tragic spectacle of one of the iconic cathedrals in the world and symbol of medieval France—the magnificent Notre Dame in Paris—wholly aflame … its soaring spire engulfed and toppling into the inferno as if the Satan himself had opened his contemptible maw to consume this gem of beauty … this jewel of Christianity. Truly a time to weep.

But this weekend saw world leaders in collective thanksgiving as they attended the re-opening ceremonies after years of intensive renovation … on the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a celebration of Notre Dame herself. While Christians may disagree on the theology of the mother of Jesus, that does not lessen their joy at seeing such a great temple rededicated to the worship of God. “O Lord of all, who hast need of nothing, thou wast pleased that there be a temple for thy habitation among us; so now, O holy One, Lord of all holiness, keep undefiled forever this house that has been so recently purified.” (2 Maccabees 14:35-36)

There are Youtube videos describing the meticulous work of renovators and artisans who contributed to the rebuilding of this monument of faith, and yet as grand as it is, it can inevitably be the meagerest offering of praise to the glory of God and for all His love and care for Mankind. All Christianity prayers with Solomon: “Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27) Yet we might also recall the psalm: “Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown. They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.” (Psalm 126)

This weekend also saw the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor which triggered the formal entry of the United States into World War II—another time for weeping. The U.S. had already been a de facto part of the war in providing weaponry to the Allies—guns, ships, planes, etc.—but Pearl Harbor clenched our entry, images of burning ships and planes and thousands dead igniting the fury of Americans on that “day which will live in infamy”. There was much weeping all across America that day.

Years passed and millions of lives were lost in that horrid war—even more tragic when one thinks of how unnecessary, driven primarily by the megalomania of a few world leaders. But, as the saying goes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely; is there any better example of the truth of that wisdom than with the human carnage wrought by Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and other dictatorial leaders around the world—many tens of millions of human lives accounted as fuel for dictators’ pride.

But World War II finally ended, albeit after untold devastation. Much weeping and rebuilding followed. But also there was rejoicing in the streets and homes of the victors, and one can only imagine at least relief of war’s ending in the defeated—the threat of death from lethal rain of bombs or hail of shells no longer menacing.

But here we are again—wars in Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, and untold smaller conflicts around the world raging still—from nations to tribes to interfamily feuds. We never seem to learn to live with one another in peace … love our neighbor as Jesus affirms as the second of the greatest commandments—second only to loving God with whole heart, mind, soul and strength.

And what is it to love God? It is to love truth, to love goodness, to love…love. To care for one another as brothers and sisters rather than as adversaries, or worse, as enemies. Those who reject such goodness are still in that camp which revels in power. Control. Supremacy. All of these rooted in nefarious and often ruinous pride.

Thus the importance—indeed, the necessity—of humility for peace to chip away at the hardness which can envelope the human heart. And humility is exemplified perfectly in the life and person of Jesus. Even if one does not believe in Jesus as divine, witness His aversion to temporal power, even with vast crowds at His command. His desire was—IS—rather for a harvest of love of God and our fellow Man—love God above all, but also feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sick and the dying, etc. (cf. Matthew 25).

On this weekend in which we remember the re-dedication of Notre Dame cathedral, it’s helpful to also remember the humility of Jesus’ mother … the humble virgin, the “handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1:38) who readily acquiesced to the will of God, come what may. Ever Jesus’ most faithful disciple, she braved even the authorities’ and soldiers’ wrathful ire to watch her Son’s agony of death on the cross. It is she who gives us the best advice of all: “Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you.” (John 2:5)

Often even Christians’ faith is shaken by hardship, despite that there is not a canonized saint who did not suffer. Even Jesus Himself suffered one of the direst of fates on the cross. But, like the Israelites journey through the desert, God’s faithful journey through life with eyes not fixed on the harsh terrain of this life, but look to the crossing of the Jordan into the joy of the next. It is then that His faithful—those that seek the good—“… shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4) That will be the time when we will finally laugh together in the rejoicing of our eternal family.

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 I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:9)

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.