Bribed or gifted?

What if it IS True? Blog

Discovering, wrestling with, and trying like crazy to live Gospel virtue.

04/21/14

Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city
and told the chief priests all that had happened.
The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;
then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
telling them, “You are to say,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’
And if this gets to the ears of the governor,
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.
And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

The big pay off. How much would it take for you to keep your mouth shut? The beauty of this reality is that while the guards may have taken the bribe our saints would not. The past 2000 years are full of story after story of individuals who stood firm. The first batch were the disciples themselves. All but John met their fate not willing to compromise. If anything speaks volumes to the validity of the Gospel reality it is this. No one dies for a cause they don't believe in.

Some may argue that there have been other examples of religious sects that have collectively killed themselves. Or others may contend that jihadist radicals are willing to die for their causes as well but neither of these are in the same category as our saints of the Catholic church. Never has there been a suicide pact, or a suicide murder that was Catholic. No saint has ever been canonized for participating in such diabolical schemes. In all actuality the contrary is unilaterally the case. The martyrs have gone to their death in the face of opposition. Willing to die, perhaps yes, but wanting to live for Christ. The dynamic is totally different.

What does all of this mean to you? I believe it all comes down to virtue. Saints are made from heroic virtue. Sometimes that's a single incident of heroism. More often than not it's a continuum of little consistent virtues. Virtue is essentially forming good habits. Some of these habits can be mustered from sheer human determination, but in order to really be heroic we must cooperate with grace. Grace allows us to stretch beyond the natural to the truly supernatural. Hope is born from this supernatural grace, as is faith and love. Closing our hearts to this encounter may result in us being no stronger than the bribed Roman guards. What do we want to accept, a bribe or a gift of grace?

Good luck and God bless,

Leo Brown