Above All | April 7, 2016

April 7, 2016

There’s a beautiful song by Michael W. Smith called Above All:

Above all powers

Above all kings

Above all nature and all created things

Above all wisdom and all the ways of man

You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms

Above all thrones

Above all wonders the world has ever known

Above all wealth and treasures of the earth

There's no way to measure what you're worth

Crucified

Laid behind the stone

You lived to die

Rejected and alone

Like a rose trampled on the ground

You took the fall

And thought of me

Above all

I’m sure it came from the reading of today’s gospel where John the Baptist is teaching his own followers about Jesus and he says, “The one who comes from above is above all.”  Let’s take a look at what is happening right before today’s gospel begins. John the Baptist is testifying about whom Jesus is and he makes one thing very clear when he says, “I am NOT the Christ, but am sent ahead of him.” My brother gave me a card for my birthday this year that read: (Front) “Every now and then, someone amazing comes into your life and changes the world forever.” (Inside) “Calm down, it’s not you, it’s Jesus, but I’m sure he would want you to have a happy birthday.”  I’m sure John the Baptist had to say to his peeps more than once, “Calm down, it’s not me, it’s Jesus!”

The next thing John does in his testimony before our gospel begins (John 3:28-29) is to make the analogy that he is the Best Man at Jesus’ wedding. What a relatable image for all of us, right? We know that a best man’s job is to stand up as an official witness to the union between the groom and the bride, he plans the bachelor party (you know for a fact that there was plenty of wine and when they ran out…well the groom just makes more!!), the best man helps settle the groom’s nerves on the day of the wedding, he makes sure his bow tie is straight, his hair is combed, and the rings are not lost, and last, but not least, he gives the toast at the reception (and/or he plans and choreographs the flash mob that all the groomsmen will perform to a mash up medley of Broadway show tunes complete with hats, canes, and tap shoes, and obviously a 4 part acapella ending to bring the house down!) This last part may or may not be my own interpretation of a best man’s duties, however, the point is clear…a best man is chosen by the groom because the best man gets him and is the “best” at standing watch while the groom commits his life to his bride.

Today’s gospel is John the Baptist’s best man toast at the reception and his hook is that Jesus is “above all.” Now I am kind of picturing John the Baptist sitting at the piano, resting his club soda next to the tip jar (John the Baptist does not drink alcohol, of course), and singing the Michael W. Smith song Above All to his best friend and cousin as Jesus gazes lovingly into the eyes of his bride…the Church. What a beautiful scene for us to reflect on today. As you read the gospel, raise your coffee cup or your glass and picture Jesus’ best man honoring your spouse today.

I will end with the line that John the Baptist says right before our gospel begins (John 3: 30), “He must increase; I must decrease.” If I could tattoo this phrase on my heart, I would, because it gives Jesus permission to roam about unrestrained and when Jesus is unrestrained, I am powered by pure love. Let’s remember that “He does not ration his gift of the Spirit”, He gives all, He is all, and He is above all.  Have a blessed day.

Memorial of Saint John Baptist de la Salle, Priest
Lectionary: 270

Reading 1 ACTS 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men. 
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2 AND 9, 17-18, 19-20

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.