WYD (5) : Stations of the Cross and Jesus' Death and... Resurrection?

(image by Tracey Nearmy AAP)

It was a serious, intense and dramatic "reenactment" of the Passion - the last few moments of Jesus' life before the Crucifixion. According to ABC News Online, this was a common ritual practised in Jerusalem by Christians. It is certainly common now across the globe by many Catholics. What is the effect of this re-enactment? What is the crucial message? Is it helping spectators understand the Crucifixion?

It was very effective in drawing crowds in Sydney today. I'm sure in Jesus' time His real death did the same. That was because He was well known for His miracles, teachings and personality. (If anyone did catch a glimpse of the "stations", drop me a comment or email on what you learned about Jesus from it, I'd love to hear.) There was a certain Roman Centurion, who witnessed Jesus' death and he proclaimed something extraordinary: "surely this man was the Son of God." This came from a Roman Centurion as recorded in Mark 15:29. What made him say that?

I am sure not many would have said that just watching the drama today. May be they didn't hear the narration properly. The ABC's report was certainly neutral at best, and lacking in insight at worst. That's why we need the Bible to explain what exactly does His death mean.

If we want to make the Crucifixion worth our time, we would best do what the Centurion of the narrative did: look at why and how Jesus died. Apart from explaining His death ahead of time to the disciples (see Mark 10:32-46, 9:30-35, 8:27-38), Jesus also uttered some amazing scriptural phrases at the Cross to help us spectators to really see. One of them goes like this:

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34, also a reference to Psalm 22)

Another is this:

"Jesus said, 'It is finished.' with that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

These phrases remind us that Jesus' death is at the hand of God, whom you can't see physically and that His death satisfies God's judgement. What a spectator needs to see is themself in the place where Jesus died. It is hard to do so, but we must. For Jesus died for us. It is us who are meant to be dead in our rebellion against God, it is us who are meant to be forsaken or separated from God. Human lives by default reject God and, in effect, His goodness and relationship: to be forsaken is exactly what we ask from God in how we live. But the beauty, yes beauty - and not gory, sadness or pathos - the beauty of the Cross is that the death of Jesus deals with our forsakenness completely. "It is finished," means that our sin and death are finished with on the Cross. It took the Son of God, God's anointed and appointed Ruler aka "Christ", to die in our place to deal with all our sins, for all of us. All us guilty spectators. We are guilty not because Jesus was weak and defenseless, but because of where we stand by default with God, our Judge and Maker. Jesus' death finishes this deal and we are guilt free, and free from judgement.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It certainly is the case in how you look at the Cross. Look properly, look through God's narrative in the Scripture, to find beauty of Jesus' death on the Cross. Here is the Son of God, powerful, glorious and perfect, humbling Himself to death for sordid, common, human rebels, so that we could be forgiven and reconciled with a Holy God. It is God's own love for us in sacrificial service. The Gospel writer Mark saw this beauty. So did the Roman Centurion. See if you agree with them. See through their eyes as you read God's word. You'll do better than the above ABC reporter.

p.s. Why does the Passion or Station of the Cross end with Jesus' death? From what I know, Jesus is no longer dead on the Cross. He is a risen Lord seated in the highest throne of power and glory. That's why Christians call Jesus the "Lord", not the victim or loser. Perhaps it is hard to re-enact something so supernatural and not of this world. Then again, the Catholic Church has many such worldly vestiges, which leads to the next post-script...

p.p.s. Remember Jesus' words: His kingdom is not of this world. It is hard to illustrate Jesus' power at human hands or dramatists. But His power can indeed be seen at work by His Holy Spirit. You can refer to part of the Spirit's work in my talk from earlier this year, and also how the Spirit leads people to follow Jesus as Lord in WYD (2). Otherwise, have a good look at the major prophets and the New Testament to know how Jesus' power is seen today. And it certainly is not through earthly power structures, "churches", human cleverness, humanity or polity. May the Catholic Church and other earthly authorities take heed.

WYD (4) : Beauty of the Earth, Ugliness of Man

Pope Benedict had touched on many social, philosophical and environmental woes facing Australians and the world in his Barangaroo address on Thursday. They include:

1. Reconciliation with mistreated Aborigines

2. World Consumption (Greed) and effects on God's Earth

3. Promotion of violence and pornography on the Internet and other Media

4. Relativism and abandonment of (Absolute) Truths

The Pope is confident in the Youth present. And I think it is in this address, not the opening one I blogged on in WYD (2), that we find the heart of the "solution" that Benedict hinted at, quoting from the Herald:

'The Pope said that since it began in 1986, world Youth Day had given young pilgrims the chance to come together to "deepen their faith in Christ" and return home filled with hope [my italics] of building a "better world". "World Youth Day fills me with confidence for the future of the church and the future of the world," he said.'

Where is the solution? Is it in the Youth? Is it in Jesus? Or a combination: in the Youth who follow Jesus as the Christ (meaning as God-appointed Ruler)? I don't have much faith in most Youth, even if their behaviours exhibited so far are nicer than English Football Fans. There are exceptions, and thank God for them. I do agree that it is basically our selfishness/self-centredness, or sinfulness in rejection of God's rule, that is at the heart of all those issues. Everyone has this problem, and to begin addressing the effects of our sin, we need to deal with sin.

Hopefully, from the previous posting you have an idea on how God deals with sinful human beings through Jesus' death and resurrection. If there is a query please email me. I just hope that the Pope would get a chance to flesh out how Jesus fits in with our central problem. Yes, the centrality of Jesus is always lacking in people's worldview.

But that still leaves the "scars... on the surface of our earth". What do we do and how do we do it? Do we leave it because we believe that this world will pass and give way to a new heaven and new earth, which is promised in the Bible? Obviously not. I won't go into a detailed essay with goals and strategies. But I do wish to offer a general attitude to social and environmental injustices and abuses.

Firstly, Jesus' priority is still His kingdom. And His kingdom is not of this world, though it has effect on this world. His rulership (instead of using kingdom) is over a group of people whose hearts and minds are renewed and transformed by His Spirit. Their lives are progressively, not absolutely, victorious over self-centredness and selfishness.

Secondly, the priorities of Christians is still Jesus' kingdom, mentioned above. Ultimately this world, as beautiful as God has made it, will pass away. The preaching of the Good News concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus, leads all our actions, drives our programs or better, is the goal of our fights against injustices and abuses. God wants, therefore we want, to bring people's hearts, minds and souls back to Himself through the Gospel, or for them to be brought into His kingdom, under Jesus as Ruler or Christ.

Thirdly, the Gospel so transforms our lives as Christians, that there are good effects to be felt and experienced now, that our actions actually promote the real justice, love, beauty, provision - the glory of God's character - physically, socially, relationally, environmentally, etc in our earth. It is a shame that often we are not as "good", "conscious/aware", "active" as non-Christians who do not follow Jesus as Lord, or worse, we are greedier, more selfish and materialistic, wasteful, careless than them. May God forgive us, and warn us about whether we are really being transformed by His Spirit.

Fourthly, our efforts at best, will be temporary, piecemeal, and frustrated by our own sin and that of others. This present world still groans under the weight of sin and its destructive effects. But this does not take away our desire to promote the gospel and adorn it with our good behaviour and provision and care of the the world and its inhabitants. We work all the more harder and show more diligence so that we act as godly caretakers of the world, peacemakers and responsible citizens. This way, the world can testify to our spiritual difference and give GOd praise and perhaps, be moved to want to know the same Lord and Saviour Jesus, whom we profess.

Lastly then, the goal of all our efforts is still the same as God's own: the kingdom of the Lord Jesus. we want people everywhere to be brought under His rulership and 

provision, so that forever they will enjoy His goodness and glory. God's answer to our world's

problems and woes is spelt out: passing of this one and recreation of a new, perfect world without injustice. It will come. We need to wait patiently and work diligently, so that in the mean time, we may bring others in relationship with God through the Gospel, so that they will taste and enjoy the fulfillment of God's promises. In the end, these woes and problems will be satisfactorily and eternally overcome. For now and in the future ever more, we trust in God and His provision through the Lord Jesus.

WYD (3) : The Opening Mass, why didn't I go?

The opening Mass at WYD drew more than 140,000, more than any concert I can remember held in Sydney. What makes this party different to other parties? That it was free-admission, had 4,000 "priests", had as many nationalities as an Olympic event or had an array of popular musicians singing semi-religious sounding songs, or that there was an address by a Cardinal to exhort pilgrims to deny the "flesh"? But like other parties it had the usual elements of numbers, youth, enthusiasm, loud music, minus the usual "vices". Those who usually crave for euphoria and rave probably missed out on the biggest party ever held in Sydney. Undoubtedly, this gathering was a party and it was huge.

The point is that whatever way you dress it up, a Mass is a Mass. This makes it more than just a feel-good, energising and popular event. There is an unchanging element in Masses held by Catholics throughout centuries. The essential and unmissable moment - the climax - of any Mass is the taking of the bread and the cup, which Catholics believe to be Jesus' body and blood. People may have different understandings of and purposes in going to Mass, but essentially, there is an alleged supernatural [comm]union with the Lord Jesus Himself through Mass.

I love parties, but I don't participate in Masses. No matter how energising, uplifting, musical, popular, warming the atmosphere is, the achievement of Mass falls far short from the spiritual experience of [comm]union with the Lord Jesus, which is the alleged purpose of Mass. I could attend, sit in, stand to, listen in, eat, drink and digest all the parts of the Mass, but it won't bring me any closer to God. Because the surest way to have access to God, is by trusting in the finished work of Jesus by His death on the cross and His Resurrection from death, and after that, by following Jesus:

"Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1Peter 3:18) 

This verse is probably one of the best verses that encapsulates the fact that Jesus' death for pilgrims and non-pilgrims is effective to bring all to God. Understanding and participating in this sort of [comm]union with God, creates the euphoria, more than that, the joy that people grope, experiment and die to find. It is sublime to be able to know for sure that God forgives and loves us and that we will attend the ultimate reunion party held by the Creator, Ruler, Lord of all beauties, joys and good gifts. Jesus' Resurrection guarantees the same resurrected body and power for those in [comm]union with Him. The energy, creativity, passion and pure joy, that is afforded to those who will resurrect as Christ did, will be beyond any current experience that tries to imitate heaven.

Pilgrims, party goers, Jesus-trusting Christians all seek the same thing: participation and communion (I hope I can drop the brackets now) with the divine. I guarantee you, by the word of God, that the surest way to this experience, conviction and knowledge is found by admiring at Jesus' death on the Cross and His Resurrection for us. These two finished works of Christ, brings you forever in the company with the original and one and only awesome God. 

Skip the Mass, save your dollars, but grab your free-pass to a glorious party hosted by God, just mention the code word: "Jesus".

p.s. There are actually more to the Mass which slight the finished works of Christ. I hope to write on that a bit later. For now, I will only say that trusting in Jesus gets you closer to God than attending Mass.

WYD (2) : Pope's address and the Holy Spirit

The opening mass is impressive. So is the theme for WYD: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" as Acts 1:8 records the words of the resurrected Jesus. This gathering is certainly a show of mass and so popular power. Is this then the sign of the power of the Holy Spirit? We'll come back to that, but first let's read what Benedict actually says in his opening address.

There are actually clear statements from the Pope himself on what he hopes the WYD event will do. Take for example:

"There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognised in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts."

Benedict is concerned with the yearning within many hearts of young and old and declares that the "Good News", or simply the Gospel, of Jesus is the answer to these longings. Indeed he goes on to express his desired outcome from WYD:

"It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ, and sharing with others the love that the Spirit pours into their hearts, so that they, too, will be filled with hope and with thanksgiving for all the good things they have received from our heavenly Father."

He longs for Catholics (obviously these are the addressees) to share the joy of knowing Jesus and the love given as a result of the Spirit in their hearts, so that others can have the same hope.

Benedict includes other global concerns such as the environment, poverty, justice and human conflict in his stack of problems and suggest this answer:

"Where can we look for answers?

The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. "

On these superficial snippets alone, I am in total agreement with the Pope. I can honestly say that the ultimate work of God's Spirit, is to point people toward Jesus, to submit to this resurrected Lord and trust in this perfect Saviour. If that is the Pope's prayer and understanding of the Spirit, my prayers will echo that.

Many things will come out of this WYD week. Sydney-siders face traffic, they will meet complete strangers and foreigners, they will smell incense if they are close enough, they will form relationships and friendships, and perhaps, some Sydney-siders will begin to ask questions about their own beliefs. We are a post-God, post-Christian city. Most of us acknowledge the big questions and problems in life, but our main answer and purpose is escape through wealth, fine-dine, fun, achievement and even meaningful relationships and friendships. In the end, people are still left to face the same big questions that have been temporarily hidden.

When 150,000 or more strangers, who profess at the least a belief in God, come into our midst, we should not just laugh it off. Most of the world, if they knew about our rejection of God, would probably laugh back at us. From my seat, I do not laugh about our rejection of God. I eagerly pray, that at least this WYD week will jolt slumbering Sydney-siders to think and ponder again at what life is like with God? More than that, is there a truth about Jesus that really satisifes? I think there is, and so does, it appears, Benedict. Look through the masses, the Mass, the bells and smells, as they are irrelevant at best or wrong at worst, and look at the historic biblical Jesus. His life, death and resurrection offers this:

"I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

And when you find truth in this statement, you will have truly experienced the power of the Spirit. Then WYD would have been worth the while.

WYD (1) : World Youth Day begins. What begins?

Finally, it's here. World Youth Day begins in Sydney. But exactly what? From reading any odd newspaper article, such as the website front page this am on SMH, you cannot tell. There are a lot of Catholic pilgrims, some young, some not so young gathered around Sydney. Some of them are obviously passionate about the Pope. Some of them are proud of their nationality, such as the Chileans cited in the article. Some of them are passionate about a whole host of things: "faith in action", "displaying the Holy Spirit", "celebration" as I heard some interviewees say on the Sunrise show. But WHAT remains my question for WYD week.

From gleaning the photos, the interviews and the program, I think the highlight is obviously the Pope's arrival and for people to be able to meet him, or be physically within hundreds of feet of him. Pope Benedict XVI is a learned man, knowledgeable and has his opinion on celibacy, ordination and so on. We can find these from papal releases. So far, the press have actually got through to me that the Pope will specifically apologise for sexual abuse within the Catholic church. A very good thing. Still the question remains: is WYD week just about the coming of the Pope?

In contrast, the Gospel is good news about the coming, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I say in contrast because the Gospel is clear, one can read it from the Bible and hear it from Bible-believing Christians and see it in action in their lives. I find any single message hard to glean from WYD or the Pope so far. In response to WYD week, I would sum up the person of Jesus from 1Timothy 2:5

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

So there is only one person, who can bring any pilgrim close to God: the man Jesus, who is God Himself. It is the crux of the Gospel. Yet, it makes no clear appearance in any WYD public announcement, pilgrim response or event. What could this mean? I leave that to you guys.

Related to message confusion is the general veneration of a very good, knowledgeable person. The photo insert shows an image of the Pope on the Harbour Bridge. And I'm sure pilgrims are ecstatic about his coming. I feel strangely uncomfortable to see a man, who is not a mediator between men and God, elevated to such superhero status. But more on this in the next post.