Jesus says something rather strange about his disciples this Sunday. Praying to his Father he says, “They do not belong to the world . . . They are not of the world anymore than I am of the world.” What could he possibly mean?
The world (this earth, circling the sun) is all we know. It is our home. Its gravity keeps our feet on the ground. The seasons bring wheat to the fields and food to our tables. Meanwhile, the Pink Magnolia across the street is like a Wonderland. The bible tells us God made the world for you and me. What do you mean ‘I don’t belong to the world?’
Jesus is using the word “world” to describe the way people carry on their everyday lives. We are born from our parents. We learn how to walk and talk and live our lives. We fall in love, marry, have children, and die. Along the way we amuse ourselves with sports, music, media, and the arts. This is “The Way of the World”. We all live in this way.
Oh yes, we live “in the world” no doubt. But we don’t “belong”. (Webster defines “belong” as “to have a proper or suitable place”.) Jesus has come to show us that our “proper place” is with him . . . and then together with us . . . Jesus is “in the Father”. And then at last, God will be “all in all”. 1 Cor. 15:28
The world doesn’t get this. Why else would they have crucified him? Even from the cross Jesus knew of the ignorance of “the world”. “Father forgive them for they know not what they’re doing.” Luke 23:34. (Also: Acts 3:18, 19.) People just don’t get this Jesus. It’s all there in the New Testament Scriptures for anyone who’d care to read it. It’s been proclaimed by the Church for over 2000 years. (Perhaps the bad example of some who call them- selves Christian keeps the world from believing – – – but that’s another story). Anyway, back to our topic – – – our real home.
Jesus says Christians live “in the world” but not “of the world”. The day to day struggle to simply exist: living life, getting food, clothing, shelter, etc. is living in the world. We all must do this. BUT, Jesus has shown us something more. Something we never knew before. Human beings are God’s children. Our proper place, the one for which we were created, is to share in God’s divine nature. We’re more than this world. The world can’t hold us – – it’s not big enough to be our home. Only God is big enough.
Theologians later described this human share in divinity as a Supernatural Existential. That means we have, as part of our human nature, a capacity to receive the life of God. It’s called Grace. That’s right. God wants us to become like Him! To have this happen we need to belong to Christ. (Non-Christians will get to know Christ in God’s mysterious ways).
In the meantime we are like pilgrims traveling through this world. St. Paul says it’s like we live in a “tent”. “For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent (our body), be destroyed (death), we have a building from God, a dwell- ing not made by hands, eternal in heaven.” 2 Cor. 5:1
St. Paul was so struck by the power of life in Christ that he “longed to be away from the body and at home with the Lord . . . but we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home or away.” 2 Cor. 5:1-10 (read it! It’s wonderful.)
So we are witnesses of Christ’s truth to the world. It’s what brings us hope. We never give into despair. We are always ready to help this world be a better place. But remember, we’re only passing through this place. Our true home is with the Lord.
More Easter Joy.
Fr. Tim
