World War III

Joining Jesus rather than trying to beat him

04/10/2019

John 8:31-42 Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this.

There’s a popular little proverb that teaches: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Have you heard that before? Perhaps you have even used that proverb yourself. Maybe that is the reason Kevin Durant, an NBA basketball superstar, left the Oklahoma City Thunder and joined the Golden State Warriors; that, and for millions of more dollars. Since he couldn’t beat the Warriors in basketball, he joined their team. This same proverb lies behind political alliances forged through the marriage of monarchs over the course of history. If you cannot defeat your enemy, just marry your enemy; if you cannot beat them on the battlefield, join them in marriage at the altar.

One of the most famous attempted political marriages was that between Queen Elizabeth I of England and Archduke Charles of the Hapsburg Dynasty in Austria in 1559. Ultimately, that attempted marriage did not materialize because Elizabeth was a staunch Anglican Protestant, while Charles was a devout Roman Catholic. In hindsight perhaps history will judge that failed engagement a great tragedy. Why? Well, because roughly four hundred years later another Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, would be assassinated in 1914, igniting the first World War, bringing Austria and England (among many others), into direct conflict, the so-called “war to end all wars.” So, the little proverb works in both directions: if you can’t beat them, join them, like KD did. On the other hand, if you can’t join them, try to beat them, like England and Austria did.

In the gospel today, we see Jesus’ relationship with the Jewish leaders rising to a fever pitch. Jesus explains to them that they can either try to beat him, or join him. But Jesus knows only too well what option they will choose, namely, try to beat him. Jesus predicts: “I know you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you.” In the first reading from Daniel, King Nebuchadneezar tried to deal with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the same way, that is, try to kill them in the fiery furnace. In other words, like Austria and England over the centuries, so too in the scriptures, if you can’t beat them join them, or the reverse, if you can’t join them, beat them. Indeed, Jesus came to invite the Jews to form the cornerstone of the Church, which would be his Bride, so that they might be joined together in eternal ecstasy forever. But like Charles of Austria and Elizabeth of England went to war instead of wed in marriage, so the Jews tried to kill Jesus.

My friends, I think the practical upshot of today’s scriptures is pretty obvious: how do we deal with our enemies? I don’t mean we have to marry everyone we disagree with. But can we at least try to respect them and love them a little more? I am always shocked when I hear of divorced couples who continue to maintain good communication and be cordial for the sake of their children. Most of the time, of course, when a marriage fails, couples become bitter enemies like Austria and England during World War I. A divorce feels like World War III.

Last night, I attended the soccer match between Northside and Southside, bitter cross-town rivals. It was a tough fought match, and Northside scored the only goal to win in the last two minutes. At one point, a Southside player was injured and couldn’t get up to walk. So, a Northside player actually scooped him up in his arms, and literally carried him to the sideline, like a groom carries his bride across the threshold of their new home. The whole crowd cheered wildly when they saw a beautiful and touching example of “if you can’t beat them, join them,” although Northside did beat them. I am praying for England as they vote again on their Brexit policy, that they figure out the best way to relate to the European Union, which includes Austria. That’s a relationship they have been trying to figure out for a long, long time.

The saying “if you can’t beat them, join them” is a little proverb packed with a lot of practical wisdom. It can teach us not only the best way to relate with one another, but also the best way to relate to God.

Praised be Jesus Christ!