Promises, Promises

It's that time of year - political add season. There is one that especially annoys me because it promises one thing, but actually is set up to deliver another. It is a new tax that is supposed to lead to clean air and water. All it actually does is set up a committee to study the issue. In other words, it is just another way that corrupt politicians can legally give money to special interest groups.

Politicians are famous - or infamous - for breaking promises.

Today's reading is from Luke 11:29-32. In this passage, Jesus gives those who were questioning Him a sign. Some were demanding that He prove His claims.

What sign did He offer them? The sign of Jonah. Here is what Bishop Barron says about that sign.

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells the crowd that they will receive no sign except the sign of Jonah, which was a prophetic code for his Death and Resurrection.

Jesus made a promise. He would die, and rise again from the dead. Jonah from the Old Testament was a type of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

The crowd was antagonistic. Jesus was serious. In spite of their bad attitude, Jesus offered them this great evidence of who He is - Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior of the world.

What proof, what sign would He offer?

He would accomplish this through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection victory.

God hates sin, and Jesus came to destroy His enemies and ours - sin, death, and the devil.

Promise made. Promise kept.

Jesus is famous for keeping His promises, unlike human leaders.

He is the only One that a person can trust fully and completely.

He does not lie.

He does not promise things He cannot deliver.

Political campaign season is a good time to be reminded of this fact.

Sure. Some politicians do a better job than others. Some really do mean to keep their promises. Some - maybe many - try to deal honestly. We live in a fallen world where even the best plans and programs tend to not work like they are meant to.

God's plans are not like that. God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. His death, burial, and resurrection are evidence that all of His promises will be kept as well.

Here is one of my favorite promises that Jesus made and continues to make to all of us. See the love here? Human leaders often rule on the basis of threats - obey me, or else! Jesus offers this easy yoke and light burden to anyone who comes to Him, - even to the rebellious and antagonistic, which we all tend to be.

He is not alone, either. He is the Head of His Church. That's another subject, but Jesus is not a disembodied Head and His Church is not dismembered.

Matthew 1128 [o]“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,[p] and I will give you rest. 29 [q]Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”