BY FR. SHAY CULLEN
THE “MAN from Nazareth” was a fully mortal person, not a remote, divine Son of God. He referred to himself as “Son of Man,” meaning “I as one of humanity” or “I as one of you.” He was a humble person. He washed the feet of his disciples. He joined parties, drank wine, and laughed and joked with people considered great sinners, like tax collectors and sex workers. He shrugged off criticism and ignored the scandal his behavior had caused. He did not care about getting a bad reputation for letting reputed sex workers wash his feet. He was his own man. He did not seek the approval of anyone in his life. It was his, and he lived it to the fullest.
Jesus of Nazareth’s personality was so strong and secure that he gave no heed to what others thought or said about him. He could mingle and talk with anyone in society. Whether senior Jewish leaders or the poor, he respected them equally. He was filled with concern and compassion for the outcasts, the sick, the disabled and the downtrodden. He challenged the rich and the powerful to share their wealth. His mission was to create a community where equality, truth, freedom, justice and love of neighbor would be the highest values. The ruling elite rejected him and his plan to save humankind from tyrants and from evil. They only had to say yes to him and love their neighbor, but they said no.
He was totally self-confident. He had deep empathy for his fellow human beings. He was a person of extraordinary courage whose charisma was powerful. He feared no one, and no one could outsmart him in a discussion.
As a friend of sinners and outcasts, he had a sense of humor, too. He jokingly brushed off the criticism directed at him, telling followers: “When John [the Baptist] came, he fasted [and] drank no wine, and his critics said, ‘He has a demon in him.'” “When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and they said, “Look at this man, he is a glutton, a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors, and sinners, but God’s wisdom is shown to be true by its results” (Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34).
Jesus liked to challenge and even shock the self-righteous Pharisees who followed his every move, trying to catch him committing some fault and accusing him. They were very jealous of his popularity and angry that he had little respect for their oppressive religious rituals. His solidarity with the poor irritated the Pharisees. When Jesus had a meeting with many people, some Pharisees were there, watching and listening. A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus. In front of everyone, he told the man: “Your sins are forgiven; get up and go home.” The man was cured. (Mark 2:1–22).
The Pharisees were shocked and outraged and accused him of blasphemy, saying only God can forgive sins. It seemed that Jesus was challenging, teasing, and drawing them out. He was teaching that everyone should forgive others, especially their enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44) (To be continued)/PN
