A Lenten Invitation for all Spiritual Pilgrims
By Surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com and Gods_gnome@yahoo.com
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By Surprised by Joy
Hosanna!
Mark 11: 1-11
"Hosanna in the highest!"
Today's event is so significant that all four gospel writers shared their perspectives. These can be found in John 12: 12-15; Matthew 21: 1-9 and Luke 19: 29-38. Through all four reflections, we better understand the drama and dynamics of this event commonly called "the Triumphal Entry." Jesus enters Jerusalem after three years of arduous ministry to fulfill prophecy and begin his final week of life before the cross. This final week is known as "Passion Week." After this triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus begins to withdraw from public ministry and intentionally concentrates on preparing his inner circle of twelve disciples for the remaining days ahead.
Jesus is a famed miracle worker and respected teacher and healer. He has recently raised his friend, Lazarus from the dead. The Jewish Passover is about to begin. Huge crowds of pilgrims are thronging into Jerusalem for religious observances. And we find Jesus intentionally going into harms way. In this triumphal entry, he deliberately provokes the Temple authorities. He knows that they will now take action against him at the earliest opportunity.
So here is the story. All the gospel writers note that Jesus had a plan and that the disciples simply did "as Jesus instructed them." Two disciples are sent ahead to find a colt which has never been ridden. They bring this young animal to Jesus. The disciples spread their cloaks on the colt for Jesus to sit on. And the procession enters Jerusalem while Jesus weeps over the city (Luke 19: 41). He knows what is ahead for him. Betrayal, injustice, torture and death are around the corner.
We see the crowds go wild with excitement. People joyfully begin praising God for the many miracles they have seen and heard Christ do. They cut branches in the fields and lay them on the road before the young donkey. The people chant "Hosanna! (Praise) Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" And the entire city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee" (Matthew 21:10-11).
And here is the key to this event. Jesus is publicly arriving as the Messiah. Jesus is the Christ. He is God's Sent One. There is simply no other name by which we are saved. His name is the name above all others. In Christ, we find a new relationship with God. Jesus is claiming to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). We are told that after arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple and just looked at everything. I wonder what he was thinking.
Prayer: Hosanna! Praise God! Blessed be Christ who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the Highest! Amen.
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By God’s Gnome
Arrested
Mark 14: 43-50, 53
"They laid hands on him and seized him."
Anyone alert in Jerusalem that morning would have been astonished to witness the departure of a strange party from the city. No-one before had ever seen Pharisees marching with Roman legionnaires or with Sadducees. None of these groups trusted the other, but tonight they marched together following in Judas’ footsteps. For Judas, in his betrayal, had signified that the man he kissed would be the one they sought.
The noise of the approaching party woke the eight disciples sleeping in the cave and they moved to see what was happening to Jesus, thus joining Peter, James and John. There stood Jesus, his face illuminated by torches, as Judas moved forward and hailed him with a kiss. This same kiss of betrayal has known its counterpart to this day. To Judas Jesus offered no word of reproach, but with compassion he asked, "Judas, with a kiss you betray the Son of Man?"
To the party surrounding him Jesus put the question, "Who is it you are looking for?" "Jesus of Nazareth" was their reply, as if with one voice. "I am he" spoke Jesus, and his words seemed to instil fear into the Temple guards. The Roman soldiers now moved forward, and to them Jesus repeated his question. Again he stated, "I am he", but this time he also included, within his reply, a demand that his disciples be allowed to leave unmolested. Then Jesus faced the mob with the words, "You came out to capture me with swords and clubs as if I was a bandit, yet day by day when I taught in the Temple you did not arrest me." Peter, always willing to fight for his beliefs, sheared the ear off one of the High Priest’s servants, at which Jesus stretched forth his hand and the ear was restored. The Romans formally arrested Christ and the march to the High Priest’s residence commenced. The disciples fled.
Most of us have experienced times when those we love, respect or admire are confronted by overwhelming odds. Sometimes it appears that our own safety is threatened because of our association with these people. Like the disciples we may choose to flee in our fear. There are times when our association with our own spiritual community can kindle fires of abuse from other people. There are times when we, like the members of the early Church, may find our lives and those of our family are threatened because of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus stood his ground and assumed control of the situation at the time of his arrest. There was no doubt in his mind that, regardless of appearances, God was in control. Backed up against odds such as those which confronted our Saviour, would we have the same assurance?
Prayer: God, there are times when we are forced to be in situations not of our own choosing, or when we seem surrounded by those who wish us harm. Strengthen our faith so that we may witness your working out in all the areas of our lives. Amen.
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By God’s Gnome
The Night That Justice Died.
Mark 14: 55 – 60
"The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus on which they might pass the death sentence."
Many of us endure circumstances which we describe as unfair. Sometimes we learn we have recourse to the law for remedy to our situation. But when those responsible for upholding the law choose to disregard it, from whom shall we seek justice?
The Sanhedrin, which administered religious matters, had its procedures regulated in one of the tractates of the Mishnah. The court, which met only in the Hall of Hewn Stone, was not allowed to convene except during daylight hours, nor could it meet during any of the great feasts. Each member had to give a verdict separately, and if the verdict was one of death, a night must elapse before it was carried out. This was to allow the court to change its verdict, or perhaps its decision regarding mercy.
When Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin the court was not meeting in its own building. It was meeting at night. There is no record of verdicts pronounced individually. The false witnesses called to testify against Jesus disagreed with each other, and finally, the High Priest asked a question forbidden by the law. For though it was forbidden to pose questions whose answers could incriminate a defendant, the High Priest asked Jesus if he was the promised Messiah. By his reply Jesus proclaimed himself to be guilty of the charge of blasphemy, a charge which carried the death penalty.
In the face of injustice, at the moment of our trials, we too are often faced with decisions which will profoundly affect our future. Before we answer, we pause momentarily as we weigh up the consequences of our words or actions. Perhaps for the sake of our job, our family or our own life we are tempted to deny a truth which would cost us dearly. Jesus answered his inquisitors with confidence and courage. He had come so far in fulfilling prophecy that these men needed to dis-empower him, to be rid of him before their own lives were exposed as corrupt. He was to become their scapegoat, someone whose death would divert the eyes and minds of the people from the sin-stained lives of their leaders.
With the verdict of death declared, some of those eminent men began to humiliate Jesus by spitting on him, while their servants began slapping him around. This behaviour in a court of law would seem outrageous to us, just as it did to Jesus, but we hear no word, nor are we given a sign, that he considered retracting his words. Once we speak the truth, in connection with discrimination be it on the grounds of age, gender, or race, in the minds of those tampering with justice we become seen as trouble-makers. If we raise questions about food stockpiled while millions die of starvation, we pose economic threats. Across the world, in the centuries since Jesus declared himself, millions of men and women have been slaughtered because of their faith. We call ourselves civilised people, but without justice - justice that can be seen to be fair and equal for all people - we are but lawless rabble. Today let us pause for a moment and reflect how different our country would be if justice prevailed in our churches, schools, government, work-places and in our own homes and lives. With Jesus, can we recall Justice from the sleep of death?
Prayer: God, Teach me to not only to observe justice in my daily life, but also to show mercy. Amen.
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By God’s Gnome
Expediency
Mark 15:12
Pilate again asked them, "What shall I do to the man you call the King of the Jews?"
The story of Pilate can never be relegated to a specific date for this is a story we witness any day of our lives, in any street, circumstance or country. Pontius Pilate was procurator of the province, responsible solely to the Roman emperor. To attain such a rank he would have proved himself as a soldier and an administrator. From the very start of his rule there was trouble, mainly of his own making. Here was a man who, unlike his predecessors, refused to remove the eagles and images of the emperor from the standards before he marched in Jerusalem. The resultant opposition was so great he was forced to yield, his only other choices were to arrest or slaughter the whole Jewish nation. When he decided to construct a new aqueduct he used the money from the Temple treasure to pay the costs involved. His reputation became so stained that the Jews threatened to send a delegation to the emperor to report his misdeeds.
The Jewish religious authorities were determined to have Jesus condemned to death, and so they brought him before Pilate on three trumped up political charges. First, he was said to be a revolutionary, second, he was charged with inciting the populace not to pay their taxes, and third, he was charged with claiming to be a king. Pilate knew from the start that Jesus was innocent, but always the threat of impeachment hung over his head. These authorities were the same people who had threatened his reputation and therefore his life. They virtually held a loaded gun at his head. The silence and dignity Jesus maintained during his interrogation made Pilate wonder whether it was himself or Jesus who actually was on trial that day. He knew Jesus should be freed, but the chant went up that if he freed Jesus then he was not a friend of Rome. Caught between justice and fear, he sought to offer to Jesus the customary Passover release, but the crowd would have none of this. Instead they demanded that Barabbas, a petty thief, be freed and Jesus crucified.
Stand still and watch, for now we see one of the most cowardly and pathetic acts in history. Pilate called for a basin and ewer of water and washed his hands in a vain attempt to shift the responsibility of Christ’s death sentence from himself and onto the Jewish nation. This futile gesture is mirrored day after day, by those to whom responsibility is entrusted, as they attempt to place the responsibility onto someone else. War criminals answer their judges with the words, "We were only following orders." Young people caught in situations which cause injury to themselves or others cry indignantly, "It’s only an end-of-year prank." Visit a court and hear the myriad of excuses offered to explain unlawful conduct. The world’s rain forests are being decimated, agreed pollution controls are not being effected - hear the voices of the destroyers who plead for special indulgence. Genocide continues and world courts seem powerless or unwilling to act. Words are used in this elaborate hand-washing exercise. Are we who claim to be Christ’s own any better, we who turn from pain and suffering, from abuse and poverty, and demand authorities do what we have failed to do, that is to serve the needs of our human family? Suffered under Pontius Pilate? Suffered under our neglect and callousness too!
Prayer: God, Sometimes our own words and actions compromise decisions we make. Teach us to be unafraid in the face of opposition and threats. Amen.
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By God’s Gnome
A Cross to Carry
Mark 15: 21-22
‘They enlisted a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, ... to carry his cross.’
The mockery of a trial concluded and the judgement was passed with the words "Illum duci ad crucem placet" - "the sentence is that this man should be taken to a cross." To the guard was given the order, "I, miles, expedi crucem," - "Go, soldier, and prepare the cross." While the cross was being prepared, Jesus was handed over to the soldiers of the Praetorium who would administer the scourging which preceded crucifixion.
Those condemned to death by crucifixion always carried their own cross. They were forced to follow the longest possible route to their execution as a warning to other would-be criminals. With the upright of the cross already fixed in place awaiting its occupant, it was the heavy cross beam which was placed on Christ’s shoulders. His back had been reduced by the lead and bone tipped scourge to raw flesh, and he was at the point of exhaustion. He stumbled beneath the wooden weight, and the square of four soldiers who surrounded him, paused. When the stumbling finally gave way to a fall, and Christ and the cross crashed to the ground, a Jewish citizen was impressed to carry the cross the balance of the journey.
What Simon of Cyrene thought of this imposition we are not told, nor do we learn of the effect walking beside Jesus on that fatal journey would have made on this man. At the end, as he lowered the cross-beam to the ground, before his eyes the nails were driven into living flesh as Jesus was impaled on the cross. Jesus invites us to take up our cross as we follow him. Sometimes what we carry becomes almost too much for us to bear and we, too, stumble. The crossbeam on which all our cares and concerns are fastened presses down on us, and we struggle to regain our footing.
In the dust of the road, bruised by the stones and scratched by bushes, we strain every nerve as we slowly raise ourselves to our bloody knees. Through the grime, sweat and tears which mist our vision we find Jesus gently lifting our cross, and helping us to our feet. The road seems less steep now, the journey less long, for with Jesus taking half the weight of our cross it almost seems to have no weight at all.
So often we lose sight of Jesus, we forget to share time with him in prayer, and we become disconnected from the pipeline which provides our spiritual sustenance. We move into the events of each day carrying the full weight of our individual crosses. Often it is not till we stumble and fall we find Jesus has been waiting all the time to walk with us and help carry our cross. The cross carried by Love is light indeed.
Prayer: God who carried my sins on the cross, never let me forget that the cross also became your throne. As I carry my cross, may it also become a throne for you. Amen.
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By God’s Gnome
Mark 15: 33
"My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"
To the cross beam, by nails driven into his wrists, Jesus was impaled. Four soldiers seized the cross beam, and dragging Jesus with it, lifted it until the mortise hole fitted over the upright beam. His feet were nailed, right foot over left, to the upright. Constant pain caused his body to move in spasms. Sometimes he stared directly at the sun, other times his head was slumped on his chest. Whenever his body sagged, the pain in his wrists became excruciating. Breathing became more difficult and he needed to bear the weight of his body on his feet to be able to exhale. Again and again he was forced to alternate between raising his body to breathe, and letting it sag with his wrists bearing his weight.
The sound of soldiers dicing for his garments seemed to wake Jesus from his absorption with pain and he spoke loudly, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." One thief crucified alongside him mocked Jesus, but the other asked to join Jesus in glory. To him was given the promise that together they would enter Paradise. The sky began to change colour, the blue deepening, as Jesus called John closer. He entrusted care of Mary, his mother, to John and asked Mary to accept John as her son. The dusk deepened as life began to drain from Jesus. He reached out for the familiar touch of God, and touched nothing. It seemed even God had deserted him. Pulling himself up again he called loudly, "My God, my God! Why have you deserted me?"
Time dragged on as if with leaden feet and Jesus spoke again, "I thirst." Finally at 3 pm he pulled himself up again, his raw back flinching at every movement, and the spectators heard his words, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" As his body sagged for the final time, his voice broke through the gloom, "It is finished." The earth trembled, the sky blackened, and cracks in the earth appeared which stretched from that place of execution into the city, through the Temple courtyard, diving and disturbing the cemetery, until at last the fissures stopped at the Dead Sea.
Forsaken. Deserted by God in the moments of our deepest distress. As the darkness of pain enfold us and our souls seek solace, where is God? Our bodies and minds are tired from the burdens of life, friends - if there are any who have not abandoned us - are of no comfort, and in the agony of our desolation we too cry out to God. Right across the world voices in anguish cry out to God who seems to have withdrawn from our presence. From persons in prison awaiting legalised murder, from the traumatised victims of accidents, from those watching their children die of starvation and from the dying millions executed in civil wars the cry goes up, "Why have you deserted me?"
Pain, fear and encroaching death often draw a veil which hides God from our eyes. Yet there is a step beyond desolation, the transition Jesus made. As the moments of his life flickered before fading forever, he again experienced the presence of God into whose hands he committed the care of his soul.
Deserted, forsaken, abandoned? No! Though for a moment we seemed separated from God, it was our focus which had shifted, not God’s attention. In the midst of our living, and just as much in our dying, God is there.
Prayer: God, when in the depths of our extremity we fail to see your face, turn our eyes to the cross so we may see your Love demonstrated there. Amen.
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By God’s Gnome
Without Hope
Mark 15:46
"Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock."
The final hours had been played out in the life of Christ. The women who stayed with Jesus bound to his side by love were drenched with tears - tears for Jesus, for the world and for themselves. Of the disciples who had been accorded a place in the drama, only John remained. John gently took the arm of Mary, now his mother, and walked with her to the tomb. Mary the Mother of James, Mary of Magdala and Salome followed the procession which was led by Joseph of Arimathae and Nicodemus carrying Jesus’ body.
The bystander who wished to see if Elijah would release Jesus from the cross moved off, mumbling to himself. The remaining priests and officials, satisfied that no longer would Jesus challenge their authority, returned to the High Priest’s residence. At an order the execution squad turned and marched smartly back to the Praetorium barracks. And at Golgotha nothing moved. The Light of the world had gone out.
Thousands of baby lambs which had been slaughtered as Passover sacrifices had been consumed, but throughout the city few realised that, with God’s final sacrifice, sin had been expiated. In Bethany dispirited men and women were gathered, those who had followed Christ. The Passover meal was finished, but no herbs would be so bitter as the tears this company had shed, and not even the Hallel could wipe the terror from their minds. Night gave way to morning, a day devoid of hope. Cowered and bewildered they re-ran the events of the previous thirty-six hours. In John’s ears hammer blows rang out the cacophony of death. Mary cried to Yahweh seeking to discover a divine plan in the midst of this pain. Peter was still, his eyes seeing again the look of sorrow on Jesus’ face.
To whom could the crippled and blind go, those who sought healing? Who would feed the crowds with examples of God’s love and provision? Three short years, brought to a close on a cross. Where was the glory of which Jesus had spoken? Where was the kingdom they anticipated? As the women prepared meals their attention appeared to be fragmented. Saddened that they could not finish the funeral anointing of the Master’s body, they waited impatiently for the Sabbath to end, and for the morning light which would permit their return to the tomb. It was as if the world had been sucked dry of joy and hope. All that remained were memories of previous expectations. Today offered only bleakness, and the thought of the future was like ashes in their mouths.
For all of Jesus’ followers every expectation had crumbled and no sense of direction remained in their lives. When our dreams and hopes collapse into dust, as if they were termite devoured, we also lose our sense of direction. Jesus seems far removed. The dark night of our souls descends and we cannot find God anywhere. In our bewilderment and confusion we long for the bleakness to end, and our hearts ache with memories of happier times. Between death and resurrection we also wait.
Prayer: God, remind us that just as the sun continues to shine behind dark storm clouds, so your love for us continues even when we do not sense your presence. Amen.
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By Surprised by Joy
Empty Tomb Easter Stories
John 20: 1-30
"My Lord and my God!" John 20:28
Each gospel writer shares different details about the empty tomb. We call this event "Easter Sunday." You can read them in Matthew 28: 1-8; Mark 16: 1-8; Luke 24: 1-10 and John 20: 1-31. They are so wonderful and inspiring, that millions Christians are gathering around the world to celebrate the empty tomb! Christ is no longer dead! He is alive! Another writer puts it this way: "The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:26). "Where O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? But thanks be to God! God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15: 55-56).
The very first Easter morning began in despair and ended in hope. John shares several dramatic resurrection stories with us. In the early, predawn hours Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. It was empty. The stone was rolled away. She rushes to Simon Peter and beloved John and tells them. They rush to see for themselves. Mary lingers after the men leave. She weeps. And in her tears, she is the first to see the risen Christ. And Jesus sends her as an apostle to bring good news to the male disciples. "Go tell the others that I am alive!" And Mary Magdalene rushes off with the news: "I have seen the Lord!"
Jesus later appears to his gathered disciples in the evening. They are literally locked in their house for fear of the authorities. Jesus suddenly stands among them and said, "Peace be with you!" The disciples are overjoyed. And Jesus said again, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that, he breathes on them with the Holy Spirit.
The disciple Thomas however, was not among the group. And when he joined them, the others were eager to tell him, "We have seen the Lord!" And wonderful Thomas is a case study in honesty. He bluntly tells his companions, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week goes by. And the disciples gather together. They still huddle behind locked doors. This time doubting Thomas is among them. Suddenly Jesus appears. Again he said, "Peace be with you!" And he invites Thomas to touch him, see his wounds and stop his doubt. And Thomas shows us the way to belief with his prayer to Jesus. "My Lord and my God!"
Believe and be blessed. Jesus shares this insight with Thomas. "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." And John concludes this Easter chapter with the summary statement: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20: 31).
Dear readers, we need what Jesus did for us on the cross. And we need what he offers us through the empty tomb. We can "see" Jesus for ourselves through these wonderful gospel stories in ways doubting Thomas could not. Great spiritual blessings await us when we believe Jesus is the Christ, God's Beloved Child. "To seek God is the greatest of all adventures; to find God is the greatest of all achievements; to fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances." Jesus Christ is the way to God. "Peace be with you." God bless you in your spiritual journey.
Prayer: Let doubting Thomas teach us to pray today. Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and my God! Amen.
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By Surprised by Joy
I'd like to share a story with you about a friend who "found God through the Internet!" I met her years ago. Somehow she had been given my name while I was researching how people use the Internet as a spirituality resource. Her story of pilgrimage, faith and baptism is remarkable.
She didn't know she was Jewish until she reached high school. Then classmates teased her about "killing Jesus." My friend grew up to be a successful professional writer. Religion and spirituality simply were not important until she reached her late thirties. She had an inner void that nothing seemed to fill. So she began researching the internet for spirituality resources.
Along the way, she met "cyber-monk" through a retreat center web page. Cyber monk patiently answered her many questions. An internet friendship began. Over the months my friend decided to travel hundreds of miles to this retreat center. It was her pilgrimage. She met cyber monk and decided to become a Catholic and be baptized on Easter Saturday. So she returned home and found a local church. She attended classes and joyfully underwent Christian baptism.
Her dear friends recognized something significant had happened to her. As they gathered together for Easter dinner the next day, this newly baptized Christian was invited to "give thanks" for the meal. In the embarrassed silence that followed, all eleven adults around the table realized none of them knew how to "give thanks" for the meal. They laughed about it. But the next day I received a phone call from her. We met for breakfast and she asked, "Now how do I pray for my meal?"
Perhaps some of you are wondering the same thing. How do we pray for our meals? Where do we go from here in our spiritual lives? How can we nurture our inner lives and find spiritual empowerment for our journey?
I invite you to continue a daily reading of sacred words and praying. Approximately 80% of our answers will be found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And the Psalms offer us timeless insights for our prayers when we struggle with feelings too deep for words. Consider finding a church home that is welcoming and affirming for people of all sexual orientations. Several helpful links to locating such churches can be found through www.christianlesbians.com, www.whosoever.org and www.mccchurch.org.
I wish to publicly thank my international writing colleague and dear friend, "God's Gnome," for her marvelous writing insights. Together we thank each reader for joining us on the Lenten journey. This journey would be incomplete without thanking our families, friends, churches, editors, web managers and volunteers at www.soulfoodministry.org, www.whosoever.org and www.christianlesbians.com. And if lives have been transformed, it is because faithful people daily prayed for each reader through the combined Internet prayer teams of www.mccdc.com/inside/prayer.html and skyfeathr1@aol.com. Thank you for sharing this adventure in God. May you all be surprised with God's joy in your lives. God bless you.
