Whose Story? His or Mine?

Having seen the why and when of God's Word in the Liturgy, we now turn to the 'how.' How does God reveal himself to us? There are several techniques that the scriptural authors use, but here we focus on the technical meaning of the term: 'proclamation.'

Proclamation in the Liturgy is "a communication in which, as the message unfolds, the listener is drawn into the message, becoming a part of it. Once this happens, a response necessarily follows." A classic example of such a proclamation is the story Nathan tells King David after the latter had sinned with Bathsheba. Nathan talks of a rich man having plenty of property yet who kills the one and only lamb of a poor farmer living nearby, to entertain his friends. No sooner is the story recounted when David, who as king had to ensure that justice prevailed in his kingdom, exclaims: 'That man deserves to die!' Little did he realize that Nathan was actually referring to his own sin with Bathsheba, but in allegorical form. Yet that is precisely how a 'proclamation' works: it starts 'out there' but soon forces the listener to identify with the key character in the story.

The proclamation begins out there, as his-story, apparently totally unrelated to the person listening. But as one significant detail follows another, the listener cannot but see himself in the narrative. His first reaction, of course, is casual and confident - that doesn't refer to me; that story has nothing to do with me, surely. But soon this changes to a hesitant: 'it sounds very familiar - maybe it does refer to me!' The next stage has him exclaiming with bravado: 'even if it does refer to me, I have my reasons or excuses lined up - I can't be nailed for this.' As the similarities become more and more striking, he cannot deny any longer that the story points to him and him only: anger now overwhelms the victim as he finds himself trapped. Interiorly but very grudgingly he admits to himself that he has done wrong and needs to own up. After considerable inner struggle he finally admits: 'Yes, it refers to my deeds - and I am in the wrong; I accept', and he is possibly ready to change his ways.

At this point he can still react positively and ask pardon for his wrongdoing, or harden his heart and stubbornly cling to his pretended innocence. 'You can only lead the horse to the water, but cannot force it to drink!' Thus almost every Scripture story has reference to the life of each of us. But most often, we do not allow the 'proclamation' to get to us because we shield ourselves from its conclusive, sometimes damning, evidence.

However, it is important to note that not every proclamation has a negative content that points out our faults. More often than not, the content is very positive, and the hidden message is: 'This is how I (my Father) love(s) you, too! Do you believe it?' Thus, when we hear Jesus saying to the woman taken in adultery: 'Neither do I condemn you - go and sin no more' we need to realize that those words are spoken to us as well. Again, "this is My beloved son in whom I am well pleased" is addressed to Jesus and to all those who are 'in Christ,' through Baptism. "Today, you shall be with me in paradise" is the assurance and promise that Jesus gives to all who come to him with a humble heart and contrite spirit. Who would not recognize him/herself in Peter during the Passion? No sooner was Jesus arrested than he too fled with the rest. But his conscience nagged at him: had he not publicly vowed that he would stand by Jesus, even if it meant death? So, he haltingly worked his way back to the scene of the Passion, but ensured a safe distance between Jesus and himself. Thus, he guaranteed his personal safety, yet could honestly say if Jesus challenged him: 'Of course, Lord, I was there; I saw everything that happened; I witnessed how they falsely accused you and insulted you, even how the soldier slapped you …' Peter was decidedly there, but also not really there!

In short, the Scriptures speak not just of events of the past - they invite us to see our present interaction with God and one another reflected in the stories recounted therein. We however, need to be fearlessly calm and receptive when it is proclaimed, else the proclamation cannot work - the connection will not be made. This is how the Pharisees and Scribes hardened their hearts to Jesus' message so much so that Jesus later wept: "Jerusalem … how often did I not seek to gather your children …"

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts …"

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