Jesus had done many things, the Apostles had done many things, the Holy Spirit had done many things, and people were amazed. Today we read of Paul being in chains for 2 years, under house arrest by Caesar, yet he continues preaching the Good News. As we read the Bible, and hear it read to us at Mass, it really is amazing material. Inspired, true, and the current version has been with us for 1700 years or so, but still is relevant. While reading today’s readings, a quote from John stood out for me:
“There are many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written”
Children
Those of us blessed with children know the experience of watching a child grow. At the beginning, every squeak, movement, small gesture, step, and tooth becomes a remarkable story to share. Millions of details are noted, and probably as many pictures and videos are taken. Pet owners without kids know the experience. As the child (or pet) grows older, or other children (pets) come along, the stories become far less documented. In the context of the quote from John above, I wonder why we do not know more of Jesus’ early life. We hear about his birth, getting in trouble by not returning home from Jerusalem with his extended family, and turning water into wine at Cana. I would love to know more, but there are size and scope limits put on what is recorded for us in the Bible.
Adulthood
His adult life is what John was referring to in the quote, with the assumption that Jesus was just a Jewish kid growing up like other Jewish kids of his time. (His parents were certainly not “run of the mill,” and what a holy household with these three!) Each public miracle would have a ripple effect through families and towns. He wasn’t just doing card tricks or reading fortunes. He was turning water into wine, raising people from the dead. Jesus was walking on water, feeding 5000 people with only a few loaves. Also, catching a fish with enough change in its mouth to pay the temple fee for he and Peter. He killed a fig tree by yelling at it, healed the mentally and physically unhealable, and beyond. Then we get to the big stuff. He was raised from the dead, for goodness sakes.
Bible and Tradition
Sometimes during Confirmation Class, we talk about what’s in the Bible explicitly, and what is Tradition. The white collar a priest wears? Not directly in the Bible, so that is Tradition. Sometimes the questions come out, and “Why didn’t it tell us more about the Trinity?” Or, “Why was it not more clear about saying that priests can remove sins on Jesus’ behalf, so that other religions would be totally on board?” “Why did he not do even MORE to prove to the Jews that his body was not stolen, and that he actually rose from the dead?” After his death, he appeared to thousands, but why did it not stick to some local populations?
In one sense, I wish there were more details and more clarity. Perhaps we would have a more unified world, and not have 60,000 different Protestant denominations. I wish that more Jewish people would have been convinced of Jesus’ Messiah status. On the other hand, the Bible is not really a law textbook that gives us the answer to every question straight away. However, the 10 Commandments are the foundation of the law in most countries. The Jews have 613 mizvot, which are their own rules for the road. In today’s world, do we need fewer or more rules?
There for a Reason
As we continue to read the Bible, and listen at Mass, perhaps it’s time to think for a minute and ponder “why was that story in here?” It’s there for a reason, it’s true, and it’s up to us to put it into action. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Saint James wrote that a long time ago. And I think it still fits today.
