Ironic Unity

Last updated on: February 9, 2012 at 8:49 pm by mogget

Ironic Unity 2012-02-09T20:49:08-05:00 mogget

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Among the many threads of irony that pass through the passion narratives is this story of a second interrogation of Jesus by Herod (Luke 23:7-12):

And when [Pilate] learned that [Jesus] was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

The irony here is that Pilate and Herod, who had previously been estranged, were united by their interaction with Jesus. I guess that what bound them together was their mutual aversion to the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem rather than any appreciation of Jesus, but there you have it: Jesus hasn’t even died yet and peace is beginning to settle in!

And now I see another round of ironic reconciliations developing as I watch the current brouhaha over the Obama administration’s attempt to force Catholics to violate their distinctive beliefs regarding the sanctity of life. Whatever might be their personal “take” on the manner, I see signs that Catholics from all parts of the ideological spectrum are falling in together against this perceived threat to their religious freedom. Joining them are Protestants, members of the Orthodox community, and Jews, among others. Kind of amazing, really.

And yet, I’m sad. Sad that the matter ever came up, I guess. But I have to say this: I don’t think the Catholic bishops will give in. They own an awful lot of hospitals and other facilities and I think they will close those doors before they compromise on this particular issue. I dunno what will happen, but the Catholic Church has buried every empire since the Romans. The smart money is, I think, on the Catholics.

Mogs

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 9, 2012

Support Tracy!

Next Post

February 10, 2012 Mogget Speaks Out...White House Listens.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 2013 Scriptures Administrative Apologetics Atonement Bible Book of Mormon Book Review BYU Doctrine Extra-Biblical Literature Family Feminism Guests History LDS Church History Leadership Marginalia Metaphysics Mormon Culture Mormon Studies Personal Issues Political Philosophy Politics Scripture Sexuality Speculation Spotlights Studying Religion Ten Tidbits The Tenure Track Theology Tips on Applying Series Tips on Being an Independent Scholar Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 July 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz