The Voice of Evil

 

Homily on John 11, 45-56 (Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent)

...

If there is a top bible passage that represents evil in this world, I submit John 11,49-50, which says: "But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.”

His was not a voice of reason, rather it was a rationalization, and one that would solidify the Sanhedrin's plan to eliminate Jesus. Finally they have a pseudo-moral argument to cover up their insecurities and disdain of Jesus, a clear and simple messag to communicate to their audience of supporters and dependents.

It would be the whereas clause to their order "that if anyone knew where he was, he should inform them, so that they might arrest him" (John 11,57) -- which Judas Iscariot would pick up. It would then be tweaked into a slightly different angle for Pontius Pilate, in order to pressure him to impose on Jesus the death sentence reserved for those who would dare challenge the empire and the emperor.

This is the voice of evil. Across generations we would hear the same voice in the mouths of terrible despots and dictators justifying the massacre and economic destruction of many; in legislators using lofty social goals in laws that allow their kind to commit corruption and plunder of public funds; in petty tyrants and power-tripping functionaries imposing their will on those below them; in Church leaders using ministry for personal gain; in parents, elders, and superiors exploiting children and the vulnerable under their care.

And then there was the voice of Jesus who remained mostly silent at the onslaught of disinformation and violence heaped upon him. This voice which commanded evil spirits to flee, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, the dead to rise; this voice through whom everything was created -- at that moment chose to be silent. Except for when he would confess that he was indeed the Son of God. And then, as he was dying on the cross, his choice words for his persecutors were of mercy and compassion: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23,34).

The temptation for many of us, myself included, is to fight evil with evil. They started it after all. We delight in witty repartees that score points over opponents, rather than reconcile. And so we listen not to understand, but in order to respond.

The response of Jesus to the voice of evil is an invitation to follow his path. It is one of silence as a prelude to real listening and dialogue. It is one of mercy to break the cycle of violence. For only by the Word made flesh, who models for us the greatest love, will we win over evil -- words, deeds, structures, histories -- in this world.