…He must increase…I must decrease.

Some time ago Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J (Pope Francis has removed the monitum on him) wrote of human suffering. He was a seminarian conscientious objector in the First World War, so was assigned as a stretcher bearer in the trenches. At night he would write by lantern-light.

 

As we prepare to enter into our Lenten season, what he says might surprise us. He reminds us that in our youth we are very busy. We teach, minister, care for our families; we are “on the move.” But in our later years, “We just can’t do what we used to do.” Guilt builds up. How can I be of service now? What good am I when I just don’t have the energy I used to have? We are diminishing, and this causes us sadness.

 

Then he turns this on its head. Pointing to the strange flow of Jesus’ life, he points out that Jesus had only three short years of active ministry. Then comes the diminishment of the passion. This is certainly not the way we would do things. But it is in that diminishment that Jesus is most effective. He really was not successful in his active life. He was rejected by religious authorities and manipulated by crowds to work more wonders. He was misunderstood in what he said.

 

Chardin’s point is that once Jesus comes to grip with what is being asked of him in the struggle of the garden, he enters into the downward spiral of diminishment. His intent is to go there if that is what his Father wants, and that is exactly what happens. He is executed. His exaltation is to be raised up on the gibbet of the cross. As he is stripped not only of his clothing but his own will, he accomplishes the high point of his active ministry. It is by this diminishment of his passion that he redeems. All that goes before is a preview of coming attractions.

 

What if it’s the same for us? What if our lack of energy, our illness, our weakness of any kind is to be the high point of our humble lives? How would we begin each day, when full of aches and pains, we fully intend “to bring to completion what God has begun in us.” What if our loving intentional acceptance of our diminishment will bring more healing to our world than any project we’ve ever been involved in? What if this Lent we were convinced of this and acted on it? Could it be my prayer? Could it be my fasting from guilt and sadness? Could it be the ultimate almsgiving?

 

Challenge.

Tough and Teasing.

Amazing, Involving, and Demanding.

Melt my Resistance.

OK?