The Correcting Face of Jesus

Jesus was a religious reformer. With a stern face, he debated with the Jewish religious leaders, correcting and challenging. Offended, they plotted to destroy him. (Mk 3:6.)

Using the words of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus condemned lip service to God and using traditions to void the word of God as hypocritical. (Mk 7:6-8.)

With a solemn face, Jesus warned the religious leaders in the parable about tenants of the vineyard - what has been given can also be taken away. (Mk 12:1-12.)

Baptismal Gift and Challenge

In the current climate emergency, the solemn face of Jesus asks:

• Is your lifestyle a scandal to others (Mk 9:42)?
• Are we living up to our baptismal call to service (Mk 10:43)?
• Do we neglect Pope Francis’ teaching to Care for the Earth?
• Do we actively support renewable energy projects?

Jesus spent three years teaching his disciples. His face showed frustration at their lack of faith, showed surprised when James and John wanted privileged seats in heaven (Mk 9:19, 10:38).

Jesus' piercing gaze shocked his disciples when he cursed the fruitless fig tree (Mk 11:13).

Jubilee Call to Ecological Conversion

Since St John Paul II’s Message in 1990, popes have called believers to ecological conversion as an integral part of the Catholic faith. Each pope has detailed this message (Let the Son Shine, pp 19-20).

Pope Francis calls for renewed devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to ground our love for mission: a heartfelt relationship with God strengthens our bonds of fraternity, allowing us to recognise the dignity of each human being and our kinship with all creation (Sacred Heart No. 31).

Despite the crises of war, social inequality and destructive technology, what is most essential is our heart. God’s love sustains us in Hope (Rm 8:39).

Truth and Peace

Some climate deniers lack knowledge of the science that explains climate processes. Others deliberately sow confusion. Correcting them needs the Hope-filled Courage that comes from ecological conversion.  

Jubilee 2025 presents an opportunity for Catholic parishes, schools, and communities to step forward and take action in the spirit of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn’s See, Judge, Act method to assert truth. At stake is nothing less than God’s gift of peace.

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Prayer for Peace (Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Columban Fr Charles Rue

Related links

• Read more from the current Columban eBulletin