April 7, 2019 - Fifth Sunday of Lent

"Preparation Through Prayer"

Audio Clip

There are so many ways to say "thank you" --- it can be in a familiar language or if you really want to impress someone, you can do your best to say it in a romance language like French --- "Merci, beucoup." Didn't that sound so much nicer? But, for me, the most beautiful "thank yous" are not delivered in words, they are delivered in deeds.

In eight days, more than half a million spectators will gather along the streets of Massachusetts for a celebration of the human spirit. They will be there to share their support for loved ones, for strangers and for causes which are close to their hearts. My family and I, and many of our friends, will be among them as we root on two very special people who will be raising money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute while running in their first Boston Marathon. You see, both of them have had members of their family treated by the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff of that fine institution.

During the past three months, I've been amazed at the level of preparation that is required for them to strengthen their spirit, mind and body to run 26.2 miles --- like establishing a healthy diet, getting consistent rest, and of course, running --- lots of it! Their training regimen has been as much as forty-seven miles a week with some daily runs of up to twenty miles. So, over the course of their preparation, they have essentially run from Boston to Washington, D.C. If you're like me, and this level of running is beyond your capabilities or comprehension, think of it this way --- running a marathon is the equivalent of making 6917 trips from your couch to the refrigerator to grab a soda or a beer while you watch the Marathon on television.

Their training regimen has become a priority in their lives --- it's recognition that without a disciplined plan, when the moment of truth comes, they won't be strong enough to accomplish their goal of completing the Boston Marathon.

In today's Gospel, we hear of a marathon of a different sort. By this point in Jesus' ministry, our Savior was facing the daily weight of serving the ever-increasing crowds who were hungry for His word, and the traps of the Scribes and Pharisees who were scheming to destroy Him. Jesus must have felt crushing pressure from both sides. But, before He agreed to welcome the crowds, we learn that Jesus went up the Mount of Olives to pray, to prepare for the challenges of His day, both the good and the bad that He was about to face. The Son of God recognized His human weaknesses and His need to be strengthened in spirit, mind and body by God the Father --- for the successful outcome which Jesus desired, demanded a disciplined plan.

History has shown us that Boston marathoners need to be prepared for the unexpected --- inclement weather, illness, dehydration, injury and even the acts of extremism. Certainly, the marathon of Jesus' ministry experienced its' own unforeseen challenges --- today's was the presentation of an accused adulterer and the question of what her fate should be.

In the midst of Jesus' test, and with a multitude of friends and enemies watching His every move, we are told that Jesus bent down. In recognition of the failability of human nature, Jesus lowered Himself to the dust, emptying Himself of status. I believe, that at this time, Jesus placed Himself at the mercy of God the Father and waited for His response. When we are confronted with the challenges of life, how do we respond? Are we determined to solve them on our own, or do we pause and place our needs in the hands of God? Reflecting on these questions, St. Albert the Great offers, "There's no one who approaches God with a true and upright heart who isn't tested by hardships and temptations . . . . See to it that when you feel them, you don't surrender to them, bear them patiently and calmly with humility and longsuffering." Today, Jesus shows us that holy preparation for the trials of our lives is based in prayer, for Jesus, it began and the beginning of His day and continued at the moments in which conflict and temptation were about to begin. When our moment of trial arrives, this is how we unite ourselves with our Creator and how we act with Divine virtue.

As today's Gospel story continued, once the Father had answered His prayers, we are told that Jesus straightened up and, speaking with the wisdom of God which He had been given, our Savior came to the woman's defense, challenging the sinless to step forward. But, this particular test was only half-won. Having overcome the challenge of the sinful accusers, Jesus faced a second hurdle --- what to do with the adulterer. Again, Jesus bent down --- I believe seeking guidance from the Father for a second time, and having received it, He rises with the compassion and authority of our Savior, forgiving the woman her sins and commanding her to sin no more.

According to many scripture scholars, the adulterer in today's Gospel is Mary Magdalene. She is the woman who became one of Jesus' greatest disciples and one of the few who remained faithful to Jesus during His darkest moments, especially, being present at the foot of the cross at His crucifixion. Mary Magdalene, the great sinner who was forgiven by Jesus, has shown us how to say thank you to Jesus --- by being His friend and faithful disciple, especially when words have failed and others have become frightened and have run away.

As we approach the final weeks of Lent, how are we preparing to greet our risen Lord? Since Ash Wednesday, in what ways have we become Mary Magdalene and amended our lives to say thank you for the mercy Jesus has shown us? Inevitably, the great day will come when our resurrected Lord will appear to each of us, as He appeared to Mary Magdalene --- we will stand face-to-face with Jesus. Let us pray, and prepare well so when that moment comes, our Savior will say to each of us, "My faithful servant, enter the kingdom which has been prepared for you. For your loved for Me is great, because you loved not just in word, you loved Me in deed."