The Four Corners

Greetings on this the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Readings: Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17
Notes: The Four Corners of an Instrument is a legal phrase. It has multiple meanings which are useful techniques for us.

First: “Four corners of an instrument” is the principle that a document’s meaning should be derived from the document itself, i.e., from its language and all matters encompassed in it. According to this principle, information which does not appear in the document (extrinsic evidence) – such as the circumstances surrounding the document or the history of the parties signing it – must not be analyzed or relied upon to ascertain the document’s meaning. Source: Cornell Law School, https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/four_corners_of_an_instrument

Second: Regarding evidence. Documents (images, other) scanned into evidence or for court filings must have an image that all four corners of the document must be in view so that the entirety of the document can be seen (no corners cropped, no PostIt notes, ‘sign here’ stickers and the like.

We live in a nuanced world.
Our stories are nuanced.
Our encounter with the Divine is nuanced.
There are times however that we should focus on the four corners of the gospel.

I present to you the Four Corners of the Gospel (Good News of Jesus Christ).

1. No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
2. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
3. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
4. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

The Evidence:

Our Nuanced Challenge (on the near occasion of Rosh Hashanah)
The idea that many of history’s greatest evils, instead of being carried out by fanatics or sociopaths, were instead done by ordinary people who accepted the premises of their state and thus their actions, as “normal.” Source: paraphrase of Hannah Arendt’s book.

Prior years
http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/09/14/rest-for-the-weary-soul/
http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/09/14/sign-of-the-cross/

First Reading
With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!”

Responsorial
Do not forget the works of the Lord!

But they flattered him with their mouths
and lied to him with their tongues,
Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him,
nor were they faithful to his covenant.

But he, being merciful, forgave their sin
and destroyed them not;
Often he turned back his anger
and let none of his wrath be roused.

Second Reading
Brothers and sisters: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel Acclamation
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.

Gospel
Jesus said to Nicodemus:

1. No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
2. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
3. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
4. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Adding next day as I forgot to make it clearer.

1. It is God who made us and has come to be with us.
2. It is God that has canceled the error by his own life.
3. It is God who loves us.
4. It is God who saves us and to make life wonderful again.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry