This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The impression caused by today’s readings is very earthy, very human, very real. Which makes the divine, spiritual, supernatural aspect that much more remarkable.
The first reading, even though it falls outside the Gospels, might be the most complete summation we have of Jesus’ earthly life after the Resurrection. And it is striking because it is a summation. The Gospels are formatted into little vignettes, one after another, without a lot of time reference, giving the accounts a somewhat detached feel. As Paul sums things up in a matter-of-fact manner, outside of the Gospel accounts, we are struck with a unique sense that “this stuff really happened.”
It is is also fascinating that a number of the things Paul mentions in his ultra-short summary weren’t even covered in the Gospels: The appearance to the five hundred, the appearance to James. It make one wonder how many thousands of events occurred in Jesus’ life, events as remarkable as Jesus Himself is remarkable, that were never recorded. As the end of the Gospel of John tells us, “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” (Jn. 21:25)
What of all those other things? Are they inconsequential, because they are not written? They are consequential, not because of what Jesus achieved, and–importantly–not because of the audience He reached. The unwritten things only reached the people in his day, immediately surrounding Him.
They are consequential because of who Jesus was.
No different from the items that are written, actually. Like the event in today’s Gospel. It is vivid–we can easily place ourselves in this scene, shifting in our seats uncomfortably as the woman handles somethings so expensive in such a barbarian manner. Jesus’ reaction to her fills us with wonder and joy. He sees right into her soul and loves her, right where she is, crediting her own faith with her salvation.
Would this event be any less consequential if it hadn’t been recorded? It is great that, through the centuries, the Church can read it and learn from it continuously. But the importance of this event does not stem from its publicity; rather, it stems from the importance of who Jesus is: God made flesh.
This is what happens in our lives, too, when we become holy, when we grow in union with God. The relevance of our actions does not stem from their earthly reach and power. It stems from who we have become, in Him. In fact, if we become holy, it is not what we do that becomes so consequential. It is who we are in the doing.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Read the Gospel passage again and contemplate how lovable and glorious Jesus is as a person, as borne out in everything He does. Ask Him to infuse you powerfully with the Holy Spirit, that you too may be an injection of the divinity into earthly reality.
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