One of the classic movies of the Old Testament is the
1956 film, Ten Commandments, starring
Charlton Heston as Moses. Every Easter, it seemed, the Ten Commandments would be on TV and I remember watching as Moses
would part the Red Sea or as Pharoah would stand confounded by him.
The scene I remember most, however, is when Moses and the
Israelites offered the Passover. There was this terrifying Angel of Death, the
tenth and final plague, that was coming down like a green haze upon the land.
Every first born (even the Israelites’ first born) would be killed—unless they
gathered in houses where the blood of the Passover Lamb was smeared on the
doorposts and its flesh eaten. Only then would they be safe.
I remember being terrified by this—death all around them,
people screaming in the street—wondering, “Will they make it?” I remember, too,
how peaceful Moses was through all this. Even amidst what looked like the end
of the world, Moses remained calm, serene, placing his trust in the Lord. After
all, the Lord had gathered them into this place and into this moment. The
protection of the Lord surrounded them.
* * *
This Passover reached its culmination many years later
when Jesus, the New Passover Lamb, instituted a New Passover: His blood smeared
on the doorposts of the Cross, His flesh eaten at the Eucharist (for He said to
His disciples on the night before: “Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is
my body, given up for you").
Therefore, at every Holy Eucharist, at every Holy Mass, our
Lord gathers us into this place and into this moment. He gathers us in a New Passover,
to protect us and to free us from the powers of death—a death like that green
haze that covered the land. And in this moment, just like Moses, Jesus remains
calm, serene, and beckons us to place our trust in the Lord. And so, He says to
us:
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock.
Do not be afraid. This death will pass over. Yes, we are
like lambs among the wolves. But, the Lord is protecting us.
* * *
What I love about these words is not only the reassurance
of His care, but also that Jesus says: “Little flock.”
Little flock—He isn’t just talking about its size. Jesus
is being affectionate. It is like the use of the diminutive in Spanish. In
Spanish, you can call a priest “Padre”—father. But if you know the priest well
and have affection for him, you could say, “Padrecito”—little father. It’s a
word of affection, just as mothers may call their children “sweetie.” My little
flock, my little child, … padrecito….
And as He says this, He gathers us, draws us close to
Him. And when we are close to Him, we have nothing to fear. All shall be well.
* * *
Peter asks if these words are for him. Jesus responds by
talking about Peter’s role as steward over the kingdom—that is, Jesus talks
about Peter’s role as Pope. Jesus then warns Peter about how those who are
given much, much is expected. There is a warning about the end of the world and
how it comes like a thief in the night—just like the angel of death that stole
the first born in Egypt. So, be vigilant! Stay awake!
There is a contrast here. In one moment, Jesus is giving
words of affection. But in the next, He is giving words of warning. What is
going on here?
Jesus is telling Peter: Peter, you have a choice. Will
you either stay awake because of love or will you stay awake because of fear? I
would prefer that you let me gather you in love, but if you don’t think these
words are for you, then at least be moved by my warning. For I want to be with
you, Peter, my little flock, my little child….
Yes, you *I’m looking into the pews now* Jesus looks at
you and says, “my little son,” “my little daughter.” "I want to be with you."
* * *
I think when we let those words sink in, that Jesus
treasures us, that here is where His heart is—I think this frees us to be
generous and trusting and peaceful. I think it changes the way we look at
others. Each person next to us is loved by God so, so much!
Being vigilant means keeping that in mind and in our
heart.
And let’s be honest, the devil and the world are trying
to steal that from us. The green haze is coming down, trying to take away this
treasure that Jesus loves each one of us so affectionately!
Case in point: we have an election coming up. (Have you
heard?) And there’s a big to do about the candidates. And you’re holding onto
the pews now: is he going to get political? There will be a time for it, but
not right now.
But we have opinions about the candidates. And maybe we're ruminating about what we think about them right now. There might even be some
emotions under that.
And all I want to say for now is this: no matter what we
think about them—and we probably have some problems with what they say or do
(and we probably should)—but no matter what we think about them, God looks upon
them and is trying to draw them close and says to them, “my little child….”
Because didn’t God the Father create them? Didn’t Jesus
die for them? Are they not called into this little flock?
Have we prayed for them?
* * *
This is vigilance. Our world and the devil would have us
buy into the lie that some people are just too far gone or the world would have us
forget the very basic reality that all people are made by God and therefore treasured
by Him. Each person: "my little one!"
And if we forget that, if we make our lives all about
this earthly life and earthly gain and we simply label people as whatever-politicians
and not as loved—well, then we will lose heaven. For our heart would be consumed by the things here on
earth; and that is where our treasure would be.
And that’s a corrupt treasure that breeds resentment,
hopelessness, self-pity, anxiety, division, and every kind of sin under the
sun.
Vigilance! Remember the vertical dimension of our life:
of heaven, of God to whom we pray “deliver us from evil” and who pours forth
sun and rain upon both the good and the bad because He loves them all.
Remember, little flock… and do not be afraid any longer. I will protect you, says the Lord.
You are my little son, my little daughter, my little
child, my padrecito, my treasure.
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