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Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - September 22, 2024


James Earl Jones (Michigan, Class of ’55) died last week at the age of 93. Many knew him best as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars. Darth Vader was the personification of evil in the epic battle of survival between the noble Jedi Knights and the evil Empire. In fact, until the last moments of Episode 5, we are led to believe that there is absolutely no good in him whatsoever. Star Wars is just one of thousands of stories in which the forces of good and evil square off. Sadly, each day the battle between good and evil also continues to be fought in real life.


This week’s passage from the Book of Wisdom acknowledges the battle of good and evil. In it, the author attempts to explain the mentality of those who are evil. They condemn the “just one” because he challenges, criticizes, and tries to block their evil schemes and plans. They complain that the righteous man is “obnoxious” to them. Those who are evil are most irritated that the righteous claim: to know God; to be children of God; and, that God will protect them against evil. To the evildoers, these claims are arrogant and insulting. Therefore, they decide that the best course of action is to torture and kill the just men. If their arrogant claims are true, they will be protected. If not, they will get the treatment that they deserve.


During the Reformation, the Book of Wisdom was removed from the Old Testament because the reformers believed that it was not divinely inspired. Yet, this particular passage, like last week’s passage from the Prophet Isaiah, appears to be very clearly foretelling the life, suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the author instructs that the righteous one should suffer a shameful death and “God will take care of him.” It is strange to me that the Protestant Biblical scholars of the 16th century (who, before about 1520, were Catholic Biblical Scholars) would abandon such a prophetic book. In my mind, there is no doubt that this passage is pointing to Jesus Christ – the righteous man who died a shameful death at the hands of those who were evil. There is also no doubt that God did, in fact, “take care” of Him!

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