Jesus and the Dignity of all Human Life: The path forward toward peace and healing
“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (Jn 10:11). These are the opening words of Jesus from our Gospel today. He was not merely speaking pious sounding words. He was declaring both the kind of leader he would be for his sheep but also how much he valued them. They, by His choice, were/are worth his very life. Thus, Jesus’ words came to fulfillment as He laid down his life for us on the cross. The dignity (intrinsic value/worth) each human being has from conception to natural death is perhaps best on display when we look at the crucifix. There has never been a more beautiful death. However, the ugly death of George Floyd and the disturbing protests which followed over this past year have sharply demonstrated “the chasm that exists between the brokenness of our world and the harmony and fraternity that our Creator intends for all his children…” (Archbishop Hebda, April 20th statement). That chasm exists and only widens when we fail to treat each other with the dignity owed to all children of God. Yet, faced with this great chasm, we are not helpless nor useless. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the greatest proof that there is a power stronger than all unjust violence, racism, hatred, unforgiveness, theft, murder, greed…in a word, all that is evil. Jesus is the bridge over the chasm, and he offers us His living presence and strength to assist us in crossing it. For example, our prayers, which when prayed in the name of Jesus, carry the divine force of Jesus’ own prayer. If we want a more just and peaceful world, we must pray it into existence. By doing so, we imitate our Lord who frequently prayed while on earth and who continues to make intercession for us now at the right hand of God. Further, in our attempt to bring about a more just, peaceful society, we look to Him who is the Good Shepherd to teach us how to do this. We must learn to love others as He loved us which means to be willing to lay down our lives for the good of others, no matter who they are. This is no small order, but it is made possible and desirable by constant exposure to the grace of God. Finally, we must remember as well that any desire to change the world will not bear fruit unless we are first seeking to be changed ourselves into who God calls us to be: “…remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye” (Mt 7:5). During this civil unrest throughout our nation, constantly turn to Him who alone can give you true rest; for, “The Lord is my shepherd, …he makes me lie down in green pastures” (Ps 23).