I had a memory this morning of Joey Moyer, a friend in Junior High. Perhaps we were friends because we hit it off as I arrived new to Lindley Junior High School. Perhaps we were friends because neither of us did well in gym. He was short and I had an aversion relationship to anything involving a ball. Mostly what I remember was the day the coach announced that since we were so slow coming out of the locker room, the last out would be paddled. I don’t remember the cause but sure enough a prank was played on Joey, I tried to help him out and we were last on the court. I was behind Joey so the paddling was mine. Suddenly Joey who had a mouth, as we would say, began to argue that he was the cause of my being last. There was a lengthy reasoning why I should not be paddled. The verdict was he would join me in this ceremonial treat.
I think that is the closest I ever came to being ransomed. It did not work but it bound us more closely.
Jonathan has found himself in an undeserved place. In yesterday’s reading he ventured out ahead of Israel to route the Philistines. Saul and Israel follow with Saul making a pledge that anyone who takes food in battle will lose their life. The oath is before God and binding on Saul in a way we seldom hold. Jonathan was on the field, did not hear the oath and ate some honey. He is found out by lot. Yet the people “ransom” him. They buy him back in effect from God, as they did their first born son at his naming at the time he is offered to God. The parents then “ransom" him, buy him back.
St. Paul in Romans understands Jesus to do the same for us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
We can never fully grasp this in God. The tradition is based on God being just, through and through. Thus sin, wandering away from a moral life, has a price that must be paid. This runs a parallel track with God being merciful and loving of all that comes from the Creator’s mind/heart. In short, us.
In Christ, God ransoms back the human creature of faith to live in parallel with Christ. By Christ we enter the school of love which teaches yet again how we might be more as we are designed to be. Like at the wedding feast of the Gospel we say yes or we say no. God is not very discriminating in the invitation. Our yes will show in how we cloth ourselves, in a manner accepting the invitation. Is this baptism? Perhaps. Certainly it is a receptive heart/mind.
The Holy Eucharist is a reflection of this divine banquet. Here we feed on the symbolic food of sustaining bread and joy-filled wine. We dress by offering up the moments when our dress does not please God. Our hearts/minds know the dress code. When we have fed, we often realize this is no ordinary host. For the Host feeds us on himself. We awaken to find we have been ransomed back yet again.
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