This is a page taken from a late 11th century Book of the Gospels. The painted image of Jesus with a decorated border and gold-leafed background is remarkable, isn't it? While facing us fully, Jesus looks to the side, as if searching us out. He blesses us with his right hand and in his right, he holds a rolled scroll containing his Gospel Word. Is he waiting for me to take the scroll — to have a look for myself?
The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
To have the mind of Christ? What is that? We might imagine the mind of Christ is on full display in these Christ-Words recorded by St. Mark — understanding them for our own nation:
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." 3:24-25
Bishop Dermot Farrell has just been appointed by Pope Francis to be the new Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland. In an interview following that appointment, the Bishop-Elect said:
"Our world is changing before our eyes, our country is changing deeply, and our church changes beneath our feet. Together, we are called to find a way into the future that opens before us. The only genuine way into that future is a shared way, a way together."
The bishop was speaking to Ireland, but he could have just as readily been speaking to us here in the United States of America. Jesus says the house divided won't stay standing. How angry the nation has become! The bishop says the only way into the future is together. Every day Pope Francis calls us to this solidarity. He understands. Not a few people have chosen the political party chess game, or the political party food fight as their real religion.
The nation's angry fragmentation is evident these days and will be on full display this week. We might bring that concern to the Jesus of the Gospel page found at the top of the page. His eyes are searching.
