Monday of Holy Week: Are You a Christian?

Only Christians celebrate Holy Week, but is everyone who celebrates Holy Week really a Christian? I thought about that while reading a column by Msgr. Charles Pope in The Wanderer, Be Different, Be a Christian. I generally read Msgr. Pope's weekly article because he offers insightful and challenging thoughts that make me think. This particular column began:

Are you a Christian? Before you answer, consider these other questions: Do you love your enemy? Do you do good to them who hate you? The honest answers to these questions are at the very heart of Christianity and represent what distinguishes a Christian from others.

Judging from that definition, I'd say most of us don't get an A+ on the report card. We are more apt to carry around our hurts like badges and return hurt for hurt or, even worse, follow Barack Obama's advice: "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun." (Source) How many of us live in a state of perpetual anger thinking of the next payback putdown to use against someone we perceive as an enemy. How many of us even justify violence because the other "deserves it?"

Don't forgive your enemy, seek revenge. That philosophy fills the Old Testament and led to the admonition, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," or, in other words, don't escalate the violence. If your enemy blinds you in one eye, you may not stab him in the heart. The balance must measure no more than an equal reaction to the original injury.

But the New Testament changed even that question of balanced judgment. Forgiveness and charity are the measure when the balance is held by Jesus Christ. Did Jesus get angry? Of course. He drove the money lenders out of the temple. He spoke severely to the Pharisees. And then what? He allowed Himself to become their victim: to be arrested, mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns, driven like a lamb to the slaughter to Calvary, and crucified there. Most of His passion he suffered in silence. How many of us imitate that when we feel mistreated and oppressed? How many of us are really willing to forgive? How many of us embrace St. Paul's definition of love rather than stubbornly keeping a record of wrongs so we can feel justified in our anger and malice?

It's Holy Week. What an invitation these days are to follow in the footsteps of Christ and act like true Christians. And, if we succeed, the prize awaits as Msgr. Pope reminds us quoting St. Luke: -- "A good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

May all of us use these last days of Holy Week to become real Christians with the help of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and our guardian angels.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

All you angels and saints of God, pray for us!