visible rhetoric

Instead of giving you an outline of the Instrumentum laboris I am giving a personal reflection on it because I don’t want to repeat what I presume you have already read. First permit me to state the obvious in the instrumenta laboris of this second session: the Biblical Apostolate has 14 pages and has more or less 7 proposals, the Youth has 13 pages and has more or less 23 proposals, the Laity has 21 pages and has 11 proposals, the Family Life has 13 pages and 7 proposals, but topping them all, the Liturgy has 62 pages and 41 proposals. In effect we have just given our instrumentum laboris a new name – instrumentum laborious. The presumption therefore that you have read this comes from the belief that if you have not read it because of interest, you must have read it at least as an act of penance for the many sins we and others have committed on the sacred liturgy.

Judas has always been personified as a villain, the contrabida inthe story of Jesus. He was a traitor who sold Jesus out for thirty pieces of silver. But imagine what it would have been like without a Judas? Imagine what it would have been like and how the story would have ended without Judas? Surely his betrayal has a purpose. Even though how repugnant it is to us now, that act of Judas was something needed, it was something essential to the plot that became the peak of salvation history.

Today, because of the readings, is traditionally called the day of betrayal. We commemorate today the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and partially by Peter. During this day, I will begin giving the evaluation by class, of course to those who are ready. And I chose this day, the day of betrayal, to explain why I would give it by class and what you should do now that you will know each other’s needs and secrets. Last night I got the dictionary and looked for the word betrayal. It has several meanings.

What was the motive of Judas in proposing that the perfume anointed on the feet of Jesus be sold and the proceeds be given to the poor? Was it really well-intended? Was it really borne out of charity and concern for the plight of the poor, or was it plain and simple hatred for Jesus? It is difficult to know. It is something only God can fathom. But certain facts are clear from this incident. First, not all good works are motivated by good intentions. It may be done for other intentions which can only be known by the doer of the action. It may even be done because of some sinister and evil motives. Following the rules for example may be motivated by fear of authority or the need to be recognized and affirmed by the superiors. Following the rules is good. In fact it is praiseworthy. But the individual might have other intentions which may make a good deed less than sincere.

Today we gather to baptize Yanagi Lei. By the sound of her name I can safely assume the characteristics of one who had the upper hand in naming this first child last November 26. He or she should be a lover of sushi, tempura, anime and manga which leads to me the conclusion that he or she was not born during the brutal Japanese Occupation years. I might be wrong in my presumption but I can say that I am safely correct in my conclusion!