People of Hope

Ever since I was a child, the time of Lent acted as an incentive sparking my interest in learning more about the time of Jesus, the area, people and government. Having a deeper understanding of the environment that Jesus lived in helped to bring the scriptures more to life for me.

I have continued the personal tradition of trying to learn more about this incredible time in human history. During this Lenten season I have found several reflections about Jesus’ time that spoke to me. One such reflection was by “Judas” written by Ivan Kauffman.

The story of Judas always has haunted me. How could such a close friend and disciple of Jesus betray him so completely? The reflection of “Judas” was an interesting one as it took the perspective of his betrayal intending to serve as a catalyst to force Jesus into a fight against Rome. As Judas stated, “Surely we would win. With his power how could we lose?” Judas goes on to say that at first it seemed to work as Peter brings out his sword and cuts off the ear of one of the men coming to arrest Jesus. Seeing this Judas was excited that his desire for the revolution was beginning. But the words of Jesus “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword, put a stop to any thoughts of revolution against Rome and the Sanhedrin.

Judas goes on to say that he tried to stop what then was transpiring, but it was too late. The final reflection of Judas understands the true meaning of Christ’s death and Resurrection. Judas recounts “I had thought us totally alone, abandoned with no one but ourselves to rely on…..But I could not have been more mistaken. He is here. Even when we have killed him, he is here. And rises…to give us a second chance.”

A second chance. I like this term. I feel that Jesus always gives us sinful humans second chances. And because of this love and forgiveness we are a people of hope. Hope allows us to see the possibilities. No matter how trying of a time it is for people of faith, the message of Jesus is hope.

High school work has always been considered messy. Teenage boys described by some less informed individuals as an aggregate group of rowdy, odoriferous, negative and self-absorbed collection of young human males. Those of us who work in Jesuit Education find our young men to be quite the contrary to this description. It is easy for us to see the Christ in all of our guys. I would describe our students and our work at formation of these individuals as proof positive of hope. The hope given to us by the risen Christ. Which begs me to ponder a final question for reflection:

What would our world look like if each of us truly lived our lives as inspired by Christ through what we at Jesuit call Our Profile of the Graduate at Graduation: Open to Grow, Religious, Committed to working for Justice, Loving, Intellectually Competent and Physically Fit.

Imagine.

Author: Mike Earsing, President