Lent Day 44: We do not know

In India, elders and teachers are supposed to know everything. Whether it is their field, their area of interest or what they have been exposed to, there is an expectation that they will able to answer every question. So much that, mistakes can be made while the pressure to perform is high. Sometimes, the position of authority is maintained and held on to by such claims to know everything. Scholarship and authority are sadly seen in this way.

But Jesus did not give false claims. Neither did he claim to know everything. He spoke regarding what he had come to do. He was well versed in scripture and the way it was to be performed. Still, he was questioned because of his lack of education.

As part of discrediting Jesus, he was always asked questions. His answers were smart and effective. He did not want to appear smart but wanted to say the truth and be compassionate to the people. Many went back to their homes saying that Jesus spoke like a well learned man. But that didn’t seem to be his intention. He wanted people to know the truth and know his Father through him.

In St. Matthew 21: 23, the chief priests and elders ask him a question about his authority to teach and who gave him this authority. Jesus is very careful with his answer and his answer is in the form of a question. He asks about the baptism of John the Baptist. The chief priests and elders who usually have the answers to every question, are caught on the wrong foot. They realise that they will be embarrassed, whichever way they answer.

They think about it and then say in verse 27, “We do not know.” Perhaps this is the smartest thing that they ever said till then. They thought about the question and realised that it was much beyond them. Instead of saying something, they admit that they do not know the answer. Lent is a time for us to do just this. Saying that we do not know is a humbling process, a cleansing process, a learning process and an accepting process. When the parent says this to the child, when the husband says this to the wife, when the teacher says this to the student and when the priest says this to the congregation, it is not humiliation, but an inward understanding, knowing and embracing. This lent, shall we also have the strength to understand questions, to say no and in the process to be led to light ourselves.

Lent Day 38: The immorality in seeking whatever we want

Prayers these days are becoming a want based asking to God. There are many who claim that they can bring God down, can get whatever someone wants and God is at their beck and call. The decency of prayer has been lost and aggressive prayers are being marketed as normal. Anything goes for prayer and right from childhood, children are taught to ask whatever they want. God has been reduced to a provider who provides whatever.

During lent, as we think about morals and values and what can be seen as morality, it would be good to audit and review our prayers and ways of praying. Have we crossed all limits and have we used our freedom with Jesus to ask whatever we want? Do we instead have the understanding to spend time in silence, conversing with God and letting God know of our pains and problems instead of asking for unrealistic and immoral things? Is it possible to go back to community-based prayers whereby a negotiation and dialogue happens, in which, the community uses its maturity to put forth prayers of needs instead of wants.  

In St. Mark10, verse 35, the brothers James and John put forward an unrealistic prayer to Jesus. They say, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” In a group of twelve, which again extended to a very big group of disciples from all walks of life, these two come up with a strange request. When thought about, it is an immoral request which reeks of individualism in the midst of the community of disciples. Upon further probing by Jesus, they make clear what they really want.

In the midst of poverty, hunger, sickness and injustice, the two disciples are thinking of power and glory. They ask for a strange request in verse 37, when they say, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” This is what is happening in today’s world too. In the midst of suffering, we are interested in power and positions. In no way are our requests going to help those who are suffering but we are obsessed with such immoral thoughts.

This lent, we should identify such immoral thoughts and prayer requests. Our quest for wealth, buildings, fame, money and success are a slap on the face of the poor and the hungry. It is so very important that we relook what immorality is. Are they individual bad habits or are they prayers which negate the health of the community and seek individual growth and wealth? As we close in on passion week, may this make us think, repent and change. Amen.