Nicodemus. Jury Duty. (2024-03-10, Lent 4th Sunday)

__ Click Here for Audio of Homily ___ 

__ Click Here for Video of Mass __  

Homily, 4^th Sunday Lent (year B)  ●●  2024 March 10  ●● II Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 ● ● Psalm 137 ● ● Ephesians 2:4-10 ● ●  + John 3:14-21 ● ●

 [__00__] PRELUDE During this time leading up to St. Patrick's Day, it's notable that certain masses, like the 11:30 am one tomorrow, are canceled due to the St. Patrick's parade in West Orange. The Irish are renowned for their festivities, including parades, but their historical significance extends far beyond mere celebration.

Amid the collapse of the Roman Empire, a period marked by widespread chaos, destruction, and the suppression of knowledge, the Irish and Irish Catholic monasteries played a pivotal role in safeguarding Western civilization. As Rome faced invasion and cultural upheaval, Irish monks and priests embarked on a mission to preserve the wisdom of antiquity. They diligently transcribed and safeguarded texts, including the works of Plato and Aristotle, Augustine and others, within the confines of Irish monasteries.

This monumental effort to rescue and uphold knowledge earned them the moniker, "saviors of civilization." Their dedication to preserving the written word during a time of exile parallels the theme of exile in today's reading, where the return of people of Israel from Babylon (1^st reading from 2^nd Chronicles, ch. 36)  to their homeland symbolizes the restoration of worship and freedom. The connection underscores the enduring importance of safeguarding ideas, faith, and cultural heritage, especially in times of displacement and uncertainty.

 MAIN HOMILY

[__01__] Do you watch TV? What TV shows do you watch? What channel or channels or websites do you listen to for reports on nat’l, int’l or local news?

          These were some of the Q’s presented to every possible candidate for jury duty recently in an Essex County courtroom for jury duty.  The Q’s were asked to find out about our experience, possible biases we might bring based on experiences.

There were 200+ candidates from whom would be chosen the 12 jurors.

          So, it took about 2 days to select the jury. I started out as one of the 200+. I ended up as one of the 12 jurors.

 

[__02__]  What is a jury?      A jury consists of ordinary citizens, independent of the court, by whom the guilt or innocence is decided.

 

          That’s what it is. But, why does a jury exist? And, why – more fundamentally – are there laws and legal statutes for us to follow?

          On the 1 hand, we might say, we have these rules and police officers and judges and courtrooms in order to maintain a peaceful society: “Law and Order”.

          Hey, isn’t that a TV show?

          I think you can watch that one and still be on a jury.

 

[__03__] What were we supposed to do as the jury? The judge gave a detailed explanation about listening, observing carefully, not pre-judging or pre-determining how we might “vote” for “guilty”or “not guilty”.

           This detailed explanation took over 30 minutes. I questioned why it was so long. Your Honor, we got this. We watch TV!

 

[__04__]  But, the point of having laws and judges and police officers is not simply to maintain an orderly society. Yes, this is our hope as the outcome or effect.

          But there is a more basic reason to have laws. The goal is to reach the truth and the whole truth. That may or may not be on TV.

          And, as I read in a statement about the meaning of Christian baptism by Pope Benedict XVI, “the goal of baptism is not the community but the truth.”  (Benedict XVI, Dogma and Preaching, “6. Preaching God Today” p. 88)

          Benedict XVI continues: “the world does not have many rulers. [But we create new gods for ourselves] even when we do not call them gods: we worship money, sex, power, politics or history, expecting [one of them] will develop into God. But there is only one God.” (Benedict XVI, Dogma and Preaching, “6. Preaching God Today” p. 89)

          That’s the truth and it is meant to help us in our relationships.

 [__05__]  For example, in marriage and family and friendship, our 1^st priority is fidelity, truth, integrity.

          At times, relationships “suffer” because one person is being told a truth he or she does not want to hear.

          The goal is the salvation of souls, truthfulness.

[__06__]  [EXAMPLE A] One of the difficult things about being truthful is that it usually also involves some renunciation or self-denial.

          In other words, if you speak the truth to me, it is not your victory, but God’s victory.

          The German scholar, Hans Urs Von Balthasar in writing about both discipleship and the priesthood, observed that the origin of the Church is not in Peter as the first Pope, but in Mary as the Mother God.

          Peter and the other disciples – and Nicodemus in the Gospel today -  were on a journey toward renunciation and respect for God, but often fell short.

          Mary, on the other hand, gives a perfect YES – “fiat” – from the beginning.  (Hans Urs Von Balthasar, On Priestly Spirituality, pp. 26-27)

 

[__07__] [EXAMPLE B] Jesus was instructing Nicodemus, the Pharisee, that the law alone would not save him.

Something more was required.

          Let’s take an example of our efforts to follow the Commandments.

          Let’s take honesty – or dishonesty – as an example. I recall being told many years ago about a way that I could cheat on my taxes. I did not cheat on my taxes, but I was told insistently by someone that there is now way I would ever get caught.

          Now, in this particular instance, I was able to resist the temptation, because I was convinced that one lie would lead to another lie, etc, etc.

          The point of the Commandments is not just to have “Law and Order” but to have and live truthfulness.

 

[__08__]  In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus encounter Nicodemus, a Pharisee and legal scholar.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks with with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and legal expert. The Pharisees aimed for spiritual perfection via strict adherence to the commdments and laws. Jesus respects Nicodemus's sincerity, but calls him to something more. As Holy Week nears, we recall Jesus's clash with the religious elite, including the Pharisees, who later accuse him.  It’s not clear how Nicodemus “voted” in this jury, but at this time, Nicodemus is only researching Jesus, not renouncing everything to follow him.

 [__09__]   In my case of jury duty service, I was selected and put on a jury. We heard testimony for about 4 hours, or ½ day.

          Then, the trial was interrupted and we – the jury – were sent to our private – sealed off – jury room to wait.

          When we returned, the judge said, “the case has been resolved” In other words, a settlement was reached by the opposing lawyers. The judged thanked us for our service and reminded us that the jury system works very well and does so because of citizen jurors.

          The judge admitted the system is not perfect, because the system is made of imperfect human beings.

          Then, the judge rapidly turned and preached a short sermon to us, saying “because there was only one perfect person ever on this earth, right, Father ?”

          I said YES. I am also asked –as you are – to live this YES.

          Nicodemus is being asked for a profession of faith, a faith not only in the power of laws, but in the power of love in Jesus Christ through whom we can live lives of integrity and harmony and thus to believe in the possibility [pursuit ?] of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

          So help me God.

          God, come to our assistance in pursuit of this goal.  [__end__]