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Encouraging strength of spirit and character.

March 27, 2024

Isaiah 50:4-9a  |  Hebrews 12:1-3  |  John 13:21-32  |  Psalm 70

I have never been a fan of the saying, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” One reason is because the term “stronger” in the saying is often interpreted to mean being physically tougher or having a thicker skin. The Lessons appointed for this day in Holy Week invite us to respond to evil and conflict with a different mindset, one that focuses on spiritual rather than physical strength.   

The readings, appropriately for Lent, describe confrontations with evil and hardship. The narrators submit to indignities and attacks without fighting back. They tell us that there is no shame or disgrace in such submission. Rather, they explain, their attackers will be disgraced and ashamed, because God is on the side of the oppressed and victimized. 

The Lessons are not glorifying weakness and submission; they are encouraging strength of spirit and character. Responding in kind to evil and violence inevitably leads to more evil and violence. Responding instead with humility, patience, fortitude and grace disarms evil and helps us move closer to God’s kingdom on earth.    

Encouraging such a response to evil and injustice is the mission of the Non-Violence Institute in Providence. A group from St. Lukes visited the Institute this past weekend (a shout out here to YFF Coordinator Amy Weigand, who arranged the visit). The Institute’s mission is “to create – by word and example – a community that uses the principles and practices of nonviolence to prevent, interrupt, and heal violence and to uplift community.” The Institute’s principles are:

Nonviolence is not for cowards.

The Beloved Community is the goal of nonviolence.

Nonviolence attacks the forces of evil, not the persons doing evil.

Nonviolence holds that we should accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause.

Nonviolence asks us to avoid internal violence of the spirit, as well as external physical violence.

Nonviolence holds that the universe is on the side of justice.

For Christians, that last principle is translated to God is on the side of justice. The Institute is doing God’s work and I encourage you to take a look at their Website for both information and inspiration.

As the Passion of Christ unfolds this weekend, let us bear faithful witness to Christ’s non-violent endurance and triumph over to evil and ignorance. And may we all be “stronger” in the knowledge that God is with us in adversity. 

Stacey Nakasian