Sin is death (Tues of Passiontide)

Tuesday of Passiontide

Numbers 21:4-9 ; John 8:21-30

WE BESEECH thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people: that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Sin is death

Our Lord says in our gospel today, to the crowd following Him, “You will die in your sin.” (Jn 8:21,24) Sin is not just doing something bad. Sin is, also, to enclose ourselves in on ourselves – to be wrapped up with ourselves. Enclosed in on ourselves in our own petty problems and relying only on human wisdom, we refuse to open ourselves to the horizons of God. This leads to death. A life closed to God is no real life at all.

In Holy Scripture people are divided into two camps: those from above, who seek God’s ways, and those from below, who seek limited human goals. Sin is to refuse to allow oneself to be born again from above, as Jesus told Nicodemus (Jn 3:3). The Jews, Jesus was speaking to, did not believe in Jesus. Jesus’ life and Jesus’ message reflected a world of transcendent values and goods – values and goods beyond this world. This did not attract them. Speaking any more with those Jews who did not believe in Him would have been a waste of time. They were closed; they were locked in on their sin.

In this part of the Gospel Jesus gives witness to His own divinity by using the expression “I AM” seven times. This was how God designated Himself before Moses, and thus Jews called God “Yahweh”, that is, “He who IS”. Jesus claims for Himself “I AM” which is a claim that should not be applied to any creature. Jesus IS. But the fullest expression of who Jesus IS will be when He is “lifted up”, that is, in His Crucifixion, His Resurrection and in His Ascension.

Psalm 102

Domine, exaudi

HEAR my prayer, O Lord : and let my crying come unto thee.

2. Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble : incline thine ear unto me when I call; O hear me, and that right soon.

3. For my days are consumed away like smoke : and my bones are burnt up as it were a firebrand.

4. My heart is smitten down, and withered liked grass : so that I forget to eat my bread.

5. For the voice of my groaning : my bones will scarce cleave to my flesh.

6. I am become like a pelican in the wilderness : and like an owl that is in the desert.

7. I have watched, and am even as it were a sparrow : that sitteth alone upon the house-top.

8. Mine enemies revile me all the day long : and they that are mad upon me are sworn together against me.

9. For I have eaten ashes as it were bread : and mingled my drink with weeping.

10. And that because of thine indignation and wrath : for thou hast taken me up, and cast me down.

11. My days are gone like a shadow : and I am withered like grass.

12. But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever : and thy remembrance throughout all generations.

13. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Sion : for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come.

14. And why? thy servants think upon her stones : and it pitieth them to see her in the dust.

15. The heathen shall fear thy Name, O Lord : and all the kings of the earth thy majesty;

16. When the Lord shall build up Sion : and when his glory shall appear;

17. When he turneth him unto the prayer of the poor destitute : and despiseth not their desire.

18. This shall be written for those that come after : and the people which shall be born shall praise the Lord.

19. For he hath looked down from his sanctuary : out of the heaven did the Lord behold the earth;

20. That he might hear the mournings of such as are in captivity : and deliver the children appointed unto death;

21. That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion : and his worship at Jerusalem;

22. When the people are gathered together : and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.

23. He brought down my strength in my journey : and shortened my days.

24. But I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of mine age : as for thy years, they endure throughout all generations.

25. Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth : and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

26. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure : they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

27. And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed : but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

28. The children of thy servants shall continue : and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.