The tombs of prophets
A Gospel Enquiry
Introduction
One of the topics focused on in talkback radio recently was the Australian Government’s attempt to provide support for parents who feel powerless in the face of the destructive power of the algorithms used to control their children’s lives.
The Australian Catholic Social Justice Statement for 2019-2020, titled Making It Real, deals with this threat. It is worth the time you take to find it online … in the statement, the authors refer to Pope Francis’ assertion that the Internet is a gift from God … because the authors of the statement address the very same issues highlighted by the Australian Government in its media releases about the purpose of the Bill that will be presented in the Federal Parliament before the end of the current sitting.
Those who speak up in defence of the powerless are like prophets. I am certain that this is true of the politicians who are working to provide protection for young people in Australia. The danger for us is to not recognise the presence and power of God in their work. If we sit back and do nothing about what the Australian Government is trying to do, then we become like the “ancestors” Jesus speaks about in the Gospel reading below.
If you are reading this Gospel Enquiry, then you are already on the digital highway referred to in Making It Real. And of this digital world, the authors have this prophetic message: “… we cannot accept a digital world designed to exploit our weaknesses and bring out the worst in people. It is clear that digital platforms are built to make a profit. But where they operate to maximise profit by undermining human dignity and the common good, we must question their structure, ownership and goals.”
I raise this matter as an example of where the Gospel meets our culture and our life, whether we want to recognise it or not. And drawing on what I used to teach about emotional development in my Year 9 RE classes, our reaction to what Jesus teaches us must be scrutinized … recognise, accept and direct appropriately … which is the purpose of the method employed in the Gospel Enquiry.
The Gospel
Jesus said: ‘Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.
‘And that is why the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary.” Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.
‘Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to.’
When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say. (Luke 11:47-54)
The Enquiry
See
Context is always important and essential to understanding what Jesus is saying to us today. What is the context for this Gospel story? How does what he says here fit with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) and the Our Father (Luke 11)?
What does Luke tell us in this part of the Gospel that demonstrates the truth in what Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees? How does his condemnation of their actions reflect his role as king, priest and prophet?
Who are affected the most by the prevailing attitude of the scribes and Pharisees? Has anything changed in two millennia?
Judge
What do you make of Jesus’ harsh words to the scribes and Pharisees who were out to destroy him? Is he a hero, or a fool? Do you think what he says has any relevance to the world we live in today? Why?/Why not?
What does your faith tell you about following the example of Jesus when confronted by people intent on rendering others powerless?
Do you think we should be speaking out against those who work to destroy others’ lives? Is this what is meant by faith in action?
Act
What change does Jesus seek in you and me … and in the world?
What small action can you take that will contribute to bringing about this change?
Who can you involve in your action and how, when and how often will you get them to participate in your action?
Image Source: Derek Winterburn (Creator): Tombs of Prophets. Flickr. CC BY-ND 2.0