Lent Day 43: Making an ass of ourself this lent

“Don’t make a fool of yourself” is something we often hear in childhood. More than the fact that we have done something wrong or foolish, it is that we have embarrassed our parents or family. It could also be that we have acted in a way which is much below our age. So don’t make a fool of yourself could also be translated as “Don’t act like a child.” Yet, Jesus asks us to do exactly that when he reminds us that unless we become like children, we won’t enter the kingdom of God.

What all would the leaders have expected of a Messiah entering Jerusalem? A huge accompaniment of soldiers, armours, weapons, priests and people. But Jesus’ entry is in stark contrast to this. He comes riding a young ass (colt/donkey), as is mentioned in St. John 12:14, “And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it.” Nothing to be proud of and nothing to write home about. Was he making a fool of himself and the respectable society of the time?

Jesus’ entry is not triumphant if you look at it from the perspective of the Pharisees, Sadducees and other leaders. It is not a choreographed event which looks nice from the outside. It has embarrassment written all over it. But there is a crowd of disciples, children, women and men who welcome him with clothes, leaves and flowers. It is what they had and not what they had to get from somewhere.

Jesus’ act reflects several things. A leader does not have to flaunt wealth and force people to spend money on celebrations and welcomes. True celebrations are not pressured ones but which come from the heart of people. Welcomes should be done with what is locally available and, in this case, it was the ass and the leaves and flowers. Such celebrations should leave a good memory for people rather than a bitter feeling of loss of money and resources. Jesus’ entry energizes the people and upsets the leaders.

We live in a culture of appeasement and show offs. Our leaders expect great welcomes and spending of money. Chariots, decorated jeeps, latest cars, and blocked roads signify importance and power. Yet, Jesus did none of this. Perhaps his followers would have done it for him but he instructs what he wants on his entry into Jerusalem. Churches and leaders can learn humility, austerity and frugality from Jesus. Many festivals are conducted by blocking roads and disturbing people. The success of an event is measured by how far people are inconvenienced. This lent, we need to rethink this and follow the path of Jesus, seated on an ass, with minimum comforts and needs. Amen.

  

Lent Day 2: Being a fool, this lent

The beginning of lent is marked by the service of reconciliation in the Eastern churches. Reconciliation is a reaching out, a touching, a yearning and a seeking of forgiveness not just for doing something wrong but for genuinely wanting to come together with someone. It is a giving up, a searching and an accepting. In St. Matthew 18:12-14 we witness to the story of the shepherd who goes behind one sheep, leaving behind ninety-nine. Truly, it is not sensible, just and fair and yet the shepherd does it.

Lent is seen by many as a time to grow in strength, make the soul and mind pure and to be ready for anything. But have we thought about becoming a fool for lent? Love, compassion and caring cannot be done practically and wisely. There is nothing practical in love. We cannot love someone without losing anything. And in today’s world that is seen as foolish. The usage, “Are you mad?”, “Are you a fool?” suggests how society looks at us when we go behind the one who has broken away from the group. It makes no sense and is not practical.

Many a time in relationships we notice with sadness that we are being made a fool. A good friend may remind us that we are being cheated and misled and it is time to fight back. The shepherd charts into unknown territory, leaving the known land, the known sheep, leaving loyalty, love and acceptance and going somewhere where strangeness and uncertainty wait. Many people we love may be taking advantage of us and will be enjoying the feeling of making a fool of us. And yet, reconciliation is to be a fool, knowing that we are being fooled and made out into a fool.

Jesus knew he was being betrayed at several points in his ministry. It was not just Judas, but other disciples, so called benefactors and even family who were making use of his fame and skills for their own benefit. Yet, this parable of the lost sheep, is a hand of reconciliation to those who betrayed him, cheated him and took advantage of him. This step of reconciliation is also done by isolating the ninety-nine, by overlooking their loyalty and love and going behind the one who strays.

The service of reconciliation is a service as the word suggests and is done within the walls of the church but perhaps should be done outside as those to be reconciled with are outside the walls of the church. This though can only be done by making those inside uncomfortable, making them wait and making them feel challenged as to why they are faithful and still waiting for the one they are loyal to. The ones inside have come for reconciliation and yet the shepherd goes after the one outside.

Being a fool for Christ and being a fool so that we move out of known and comfortable territory is a Lenten challenge for us. May we be able to take up the challenge and try to reconcile not just for a day but for the entirety of lent. Amen.