Comments (0) | |

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

Jesus’ spirit in full view

Many artists have tried to portray the face of Jesus of Nazareth. Of course, the portrait must depend on the imagination and faith of the artist. We have no physical description of Jesus, but the Gospels tell us something of his physical condition, which reflected his spirituality: “The birds of the air have nests, and the foxes have dens, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” We also know from the Gospel that when he died, Jesus owned but a seamless garment of which he was stripped when he was crucified.

There are several references in Mark’s Gospel that offer fascinating hints not about the physical face of Jesus but his inner spirit that must have been reflected in his face. Two of these references have to do with children, and the third with the rich man who asked about gaining eternal life.

First, Mark 9:33-36. In this passage, Jesus tries yet again to address the worldly thinking of his disciples. They are arguing about who is the greatest, in our parlance, “who’s No. 1!” Jesus places a child in their midst to make his point. In Jesus’ kingdom, service — not rank — is what counts. In Jesus’ day, women, slaves and children all had the same rank, i.e., the bottom of the heap.

What I find striking in this passage is the action of Jesus. He not only places the child in the midst of the ambitious disciples, but Mark says, “and taking him in his arms.” As an act of protective love, Jesus embraces the child. He not only wanted to use the child as an example, but Jesus was sensitive enough not to embarrass the child or make it feel uncomfortable.

This act of affection reveals the soul of Jesus. He did not use people. People were never a means to an end for him. In his teaching and ministry, people were regarded by Jesus as precious in their own right.

The second example is from Mark 10:13-16. In this passage, people (women?) were bringing their children to Jesus for his blessing. The disciples try to stop and rebuke them. I used to think this was because Jesus was on a rest break. But I think in light of how women, slaves and children were regarded in that society, I have revised my thinking. The disciples considered the children insignificant.

But for Jesus, the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Verse 16 gives us the portrait of Jesus’ inner soul: “He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.” There is a tenderness in this action that reveals the compassionate soul of love that has become flesh. If you want to know what character a person has, watch how they treat children, the elderly and all those who count for nothing in this world of might makes right.

The third example is from Mark 10:17-22. The man comes running up to Jesus and asks what is needed to gain eternal life. We all know the story well. After a dialogue about the commandments, Mark says, “Jesus looked at him with love.” This is what I find so insightful and revealing about the inner soul of Jesus. This kind of responsiveness, this outgoing affection had to be reflected in the face of Christ.

How characteristic of Jesus to regard each person who approaches him as an individual. I fear that so many times on Sunday morning my tendency is to see the flock as just that, “a flock.” People streaming out of church as clients, customers who have punched the clock and now return to their daily lives.

How beautiful of Jesus to see the rich man with affection even though he will turn down Jesus’ offer. We don’t have a portrait of Jesus’ physical face. But we do have a portrait of the inner man, which surely was reflected in that face that revealed the very heart of God.

Father Fred Nijem is the priest and pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warner Robins.