This Lent we follow Jesus as he faces evil in the hours before his death. What is evil? Who is doing evil against Jesus during Passion Week? What are ways in which we are complicit in evil? Do we take evil seriously? As we experience evil in our own lives, discover how Jesus stands in the face of evil.
Invocation
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, who delivers us from all evil.
Invitation Prayer
Lord, you know the evil that comes when we are alone. You prayed in the Garden while your friends were asleep. You faced the agony of death and evil alone. Do not leave or forsake us in our isolation. Draw near in the dark of night when no one else is around. Have mercy, O Lord, Amen.
Word
Luke 22:2,6
“The chief priest and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people…[Judas]…watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”
Meditation: Hidden by Susan Senechal
When I was in elementary school my mom left me at home with my younger sister while she picked up my older sisters from school. I was in charge. My sister and I were watching TV. She wandered into the other room. “What are you doing, Carolyn?” I asked, not taking my eyes off the small screen. “Nothing,” she replied as I continued to watch the show. Fifteen minutes later when my mom returned she found my sister under the dining room table with every one of her bangs cut off, to the scalp.
We like to do what we’re not supposed to do while no one is watching. In the dark. Away from the crowds. Under the dining room table. If no one sees us and we don’t get caught we’re home free, right? While cutting off her bangs was not evil in the classic sense of the word (it’s not immoral or wicked), the hidden nature of what she did shows that she knew what she was doing was wrong, or at least that it wouldn’t please her mother (or her sister.) In that sense, it’s the evil nature that gives rise to wickedness and sin.
The story of the crucifixion as it begins in Luke 22 starts in secret. Out of the watchful eye. Away from the crowds. The chief priest and teachers were afraid of the crowds. Afraid of what would happen if the people knew what they were doing. So Judas agreed to hand over Jesus when no one was present. What happens in secret stays a secret…no one will be the wiser and the problem (Jesus) will disappear.
The evidence of my sister’s action was quite apparent for my mom to see…locks of her hair on the floor and a very “tall forehead” where they used to be. (I should also admit that the evidence of my own negligence and lack of watchfulness while in charge was very apparent as well.)
As for Judas, his secret was not so secret either. In Luke 22:21-22, we read Jesus saying, “The hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine at the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed.” Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, yet he went to the quiet, secluded garden anyway, knowing that it was a step in the salvation plan for you and for me.
The truth about sins done in secret is that they are not a secret to God. He sees all the evil that we do. The other truth is that Jesus went to the cross precisely to redeem all of those secret sins we do.
Thank you, Jesus, that all of our secret sins are not hidden from you, and that you went to the cross to redeem even the evil we want to keep secret. We only need to look to you for forgiveness. Amen.
Sending
In the face of evil, may God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ fill you with every spiritual blessing. Go in his name, Amen.