“You all probably know this guy,” said prolific Jesuit speaker, Rev. James Martin, S.J., pointing to a picture of Jesus. He was about to provide new knowledge and insight to the man the audience thought they already knew.
His lecture, “Meeting the Christ of Faith and the Jesus of History,” part of The John Tagliabue ’67, H ’05 Lecture Series was the main event of Ignatian Heritage Week. The events, held from March 20 – 24 celebrate Saint Peter’s Jesuit heritage and tradition, as well as the historic presence of Jesuits around the world. The week included a collaboration of performances, films, lectures and presentations that focused on Jesuit identity and principles.
“It was wonderful to see almost 200 students, alumni and friends of the University gather to hear Fr. Martin’s wise words on building our faith lives. The Tagliabue Lecture is a great gift to the University community to bring speakers, like Fr. Martin, who call us to active lives of faith,” said Jason Downer, S.J., special assistant to the president of Mission and Ministry.
Fr. Martin is the editor at large of America magazine and bestselling author. To get their books signed, fans stood in line for over an hour with their copies of his latest, Seven Last Words and old favorite Jesus: A Pilgrimage. He recognized many people in line and embraced them with a warm hug. The others, he happily wrote a personalized messages inside their books and posed for countless pictures.
Jesus: A Pilgrimage is about Fr. Martin’s travels and research into Jesus’ historical-based life. He started his discussion with anecdotes from his journey as well as pictures. Fr. Martin enlightened the audience with facts about Jesus’ life such as why he would preach from water—because sound carried further. On his many travels, Fr. Martin explored the places where Jesus would have lived and where he would have spoken; he explored roads where Jesus would have traveled. He explored gospel stories in the towns where they were told. This research is otherwise known as the Jesus of History.
However, Fr. Martin’s discussion focused on the two sides of Jesus Christ, not just his human and historical nature but the fact that he is the supernatural, Christ of Faith, as well. It is with difficulty that these beliefs converge but they must in order to give a full realization of who Jesus was.
Individuals who lean toward the Jesus of History interpretation feel uncomfortable with the supernatural Jesus, the one who rose from the dead and who is part of the Holy Trinity.
“People feel uncomfortable about the supernatural but that’s Jesus,” said Fr. Martin.
Alternatively, Jesus’ humanity is a stumbling block for people who strongly believe in the Christ of Faith, or the Jesus who is more supernatural than human. They have a hard time picturing Jesus growing up, living and working as a human would.
“God needed to have his diapers changed,” Fr. Martin assured the audience. “He wondered how far away the stars were. He had a body like yours and mine. Adult Jesus felt joy and sadness. Jesus was human.”
Fr. Martin concluded that the two approaches, Christ of Faith and Jesus of History are complementary. Jesus is always human and always divine. Fr. Martin sympathizes that there are many aspects of Jesus that are hard to understand.
“Scissor out the uncomfortable parts of Jesus and it’s not Jesus anymore,” he concluded.
The John Tagliabue ’67, H ’05 Lecture Series was established through a generous gift from Paul Tagliabue H ’05, former National Football League commissioner, in honor of his brother, John Tagliabue, a 1967 graduate of Saint Peter’s and reporter with The New York Times, with the purpose of featuring authors, journalists and writers of interest who are concerned with preserving and renewing the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission and identity.
