By Fr. Glenn Jones
Several years ago there prevailed among Christian youth groups a very applicable adage by which to live one’s life: “WWJD”—“What Would Jesus Do?” Since Christians (ostensibly, at least) long to fashion their own lives in the love and charitable principles that Jesus taught and demonstrated, WWJD always before a Christian’s mind’s eye and, indeed, should be the governing principle of his life. But, as a Facebook post I saw once stated rather humorously, what lay in the realm of possibilities of “WWJD” is overturning tables.
I happened upon Jesus’ table tipping episode (Matthew 21:12-13) during daily reading and mused about why it took Jesus to be the one that did the upending in the temple. After all, was not the temple the holiest place in all of Israel? You’d think that, if the activities going on caused so much umbrage in our Lord, it seems that somebody would have taken action long prior to HIS arrival.
Alas … apparently not. Even those in charge of the temple did nothing and, perhaps, were even complicit in the objectionable activity … getting a “cut” of the profits. Hmmm … a racket.
“Somebody should do something!” is the frequent plaint by many in any number of areas of life … as long as that “somebody” is somebody else. And yet … “Well … how about YOU, then?” “Oh, no; I’m too busy.” All organizations likely experience this—religious communities hardly the exception. A leader is peppered perpetually by “You should do this or that”, and yet requestors are somehow unavailable to assist.
As Newton’s first law says in part: an object at rest remains at rest (more verified as I get older! “Siesta? Sí!”). We simply don’t care to have our own apple carts upset … don’t want to get involved … don’t want to rock the boat … for such entails risking additional efforts, criticism and maybe even deleterious counter-reaction of some kind, just as it did so violently to Jesus. Self-interest, or perhaps even self-protection, tends to be the rule … an extension of our survival instinct. And yet, if not you, then who? If not now, when? Who will be that courageous “somebody” who dares?
Yet, we see such hesitation even with some prominent Bible figures. For instance, God was a bit annoyed with Moses because of his excuses to try to avoid the mission to which he was called (“Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses…” (Exodus 4:14)). Perhaps the most famous of “mission dodgers” is Jonah—foolishly trying to flee from God (but “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there…” (Psalm 139:7-8)) … until the fish barfed him up on the shore anyway (Jonah 2:10) (yes, yes … likely a teaching story and not literal, but the moral remains—gleaned from the human experience and—with scripture—divine inspiration).
But, then … Jesus ushers in the boat rockers … the table upturners—Himself being pre-eminent.
Even the atheist—and perhaps especially the atheist—honestly gazing through the lens of history must acknowledge the profound impact of Jesus upon the world. Within a few decades His religious tenets permeated throughout the Mediterranean and abroad, spread by disciples who did not hesitate to pass on His teaching even at the risk—and eventually the loss—of their lives. The principles of “Love God … love neighbor”—as imperfectly as they may have been (and are) practiced—then captured hearts in Europe, the Middle East and throughout the world. Even Muslims claim Jesus as one of the greatest of prophets. Is this notoriety because Jesus retreated into the background? Quite opposite. Change is effected not by bowing to status quo, but rather by challenging it—as Jesus did.
Then you have ol’ St. Paul, whom St. Thomas Aquinas refers to as “THE Apostle” in his great “Summa Theologica”. You can’t help but love St. Paul, even if only because of his single-minded and indefatigable determination. We read in Acts of the Apostles: “…they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and [re-]entered the city…” (Acts 14:19-20) Now that’s one tough dude.
Then you have Paul’s self-testimonial when speaking against false apostles: “Are they servants of Christ? I [have]…far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I have received…the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren…” Etc. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) Yup … one tough dude. And to think that WE shy away from action simply not to lose someone’s good opinion!
But … Paul also knew that the actions he took were right, and certainly Jesus knew His own were. Change for change’s sake is pointless and destructive. But especially where injustice lay … that’s where our resolve must be firm—not seeking our own advantage, but in things that are objectively right—justice, truth, courage, compassion, and all that is truly virtuous.
As attributed to Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Cold water over the heat of corruption rises to a boil, and the frog is cooked. Too late. Then only hindsight remains … relegated to saying: “What somebody should have done is…”
St. Paul wrote, and must have heard constantly with heart’s ear, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), and thus he went forward to his evangelizing work fearlessly in the mode of so many before him, of so many of his contemporaries … in the mode of John the Baptist … in the mode of Jesus. But Jesus was the catalyst for all of that. Not bad, O atheist, for a lowly carpenter from a despised little village of an inconsequential vassal state, wouldn’t you say?
“…they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even wind and water, and they obey him?’” (Luke 8:25)
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.
