Sixth Sunday in the Feast of lent - Palm Sunday

 

St Catherine's Monastery Sinai

Even the stones will cry out.  The presence of Jesus creates strong reactions. Some are drawn close.  Others react and run away.  It's sad and strange when they do.  It's like children who are scared of their own parents.

In the present of Jesus I fall on my knees.  Here is my story. (Clink on the word story, for err, the story.)

Thirty Fourth Day of Lent - Amazing Acts

 

Snake invades great moments
by snakeartist.com 
Credit: Bored Panda

5 Paul shook the snake into the fire and wasn’t harmed. 6 The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

 7 A man named Publius, who was the governor of the island, had property around the area. He welcomed us and treated us kindly, and for three days we were his guests. Acts 28

It must be that human beings are intrinsically vulnerable to superstition and fear.  We understand where an inherent fear of snakes and spiders might come from.  The people of Malta could tell there was something special about Paul and his friends.  I think there are good or Godly spirits, neutral spirits, and evil spirits.  Superstition and fear are in the latter category, and stifle life in all it's fullness.  Paul walked with his Creator.  He did not escape hardship and was ultimately stoned to death by a crowd.  But just as with Jesus, not until a great purpose had been achieved, to which we are all eternally grateful.   

PRAYER: My life is not filled with random chance because I walk with you.  

The Thirty Third Day of Lent - Life

We learnt that when Native Americans went to war, they
dressed not in protective armour, but in their best clothes,
so that they would be ready to meet the Great Spirit. 
They went to war ready to die. 

 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

“All real living is meeting,” so says Martin Buber in 'I and Thou'.  I agree.  Real life is found in our relationships.  Our relationship with our creator, with ourselves and with our sister/brother.  Other relationships are important too; with our world, with nature, with community, nation, universe. 

But true freedom to 'live' comes when we have no fear of death.  Then we are truly free to live.

Another wonderful quote from Buber....

“I do not accept any absolute formulas for living. No preconceived code can see ahead to everything that can happen in a man's life. As we live, we grow and our beliefs change. They must change. So I think we should live with this constant discovery. We should be open to this adventure in heightened awareness of living. We should stake our whole existence on our willingness to explore and experience.”

I think of my wonderful daughter who when challenged by her philosophy teacher at school to raise a hand if they were prepared for what they believe to be challenged by the subject, put up her hand.  "With Jesus I can go anywhere safely" she said.

PRAYER:  We walk out into the world holding tight to you, and can face anything.

The Thirty second Day of Lent - Purgatory

 

Doctor's waiting room by LS Lowry
The Lowry - Salford Quays

There is only one thing we know, and that is that Jesus has said that we will never be alone.  We will be tested, and we will stand the test, because we have a sure foundation.  

Within British culture, some sort of waiting has to be included in the afterlife.  But I think we will all wake on the one day, the day of new life, when there will be a "Take Two".  This time we will be filled with the Sprit of the Creator from the start, and will have no inclination to harm anyone, or to be selfish.  Our inclination will be to love, care, protect, honour and worship.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.  1 Corinthians 3:10-15  https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/5-bible-passages-which-point-to-purgatory

PRAYER: Thank you for the sure foundation on which I stand.  I am ready to be tested in the fire.  

The Thirty First Day of Lent - Death

 

Saint Jerome writing - Caravaggio
Credit: Wikipedia- Galleria Borghese

Death- the ultimate statistic.  This side of heaven, everything has a beginning, a middle and an end.  each are equally as important.  We talk about a good life.  We talk about a good death.  But was Jesus' death good?  It was not good.  So many deaths in this world are not good.  But is was necessary.  It is amazing that 2000 years later we have this clear account.  Read how the bodies of saints rose up out of the grave, and went into the towns about speaking about the greatness of the Lord!

45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27

PRAYER:  Give me new life to rise up and speak about your greatness!

Thirtieth Day of Lent - Betrayal

 

Kiss of Judas (1304–1306), fresco by 
Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22

Have you ever experienced betrayal?  I can't say that I have, but I can imagine it is like a knife entering the heart.  The closer the trust, the deeper the pain.  Jesus was ready for this one.  Did that help?  Peter's weakness was nothing compare to betrayal synonymous with murder.  And yet Jesus did not allow Judas' behaviour to dictate his own.  He remained true to Judas.  

PRAYER: May you never doubt me.  Help me to remain true and courageous to the last. 

Twenty Ninth Day of Lent - Water of Life

 

Credit:arabnews.com

I work in a café in a Palestinian town called Nablus.  Although our premises is near the religious site called  Jacobs Well, we are not really for the adventurous American and Korean tourists who are willing to contend with check points and security to see their beloved biblical sites. Ours is more for 'local women and their children'; a get-away or oasis in the sunny prison of the West Bank. It was the hottest part of the day when a young smart Jewish man slipped in and sat down at a lone table.  The café was empty; our lot tend to head off for a snooze by now.  I was on my own, clearing up from the morning.  I hesitated for a few minutes before approaching his table.  "Some mineral water please" he asked politely.  And he looked me straight in the eye.  That's disconcerting, we don't normally do that in our religion.  It's quite a taboo.  I gave him a funny look, but he went on to say,             "if only you knew the water I can give to you...." I said "looks like you have nothing with you."  And under my breath, "you'd better have money" - we are used to Jews taking liberties round here.  "The very best water comes from Jacob's well," I offer, something of topical interest.  We are all united in the greatness of our forefather Jacob.  We're not that different really.  The man again looks at me and he says,             "Jacob's well is special, but it will never satisfy you for long.  The water I have to offer is for eternal life." Wow- blow me away- you don't hear that said in this old joint every day. "Hey man", say I, "you are truly deep.  I like your drift."  He says "Why don't I talk with your husband. (I guess he knows we can't be seen talking like this.  Thank heavens no one's come in so far.  "I've got no husband" I protest, presenting a provocative smile.  "Yes" he says, "I know.  Your boyfriend has only just moved in with you.  You deserve better than those five guys who use you and let you down."  My blood ran cold.  That was very close to the bone. "You are a strange man" I say.  "A clairvoyant, or a mystic?" (We get lot of religious cranks round here.)  "So our prophet says worship on a Friday, but you lot choose Saturday- Why's that?" The man turns and says,        "The time is coming when days of the week won't matter a jot.  We will all worship the Creator face to face."  My whole being is trembling.  I feel surges of emotion, I can't tell you how alive I feel.  "We both believe that someone is coming to show us the face of the Creator." I say.        "I've come to you today to do just that." He picked up his ice-chilled bottle, dropped two shekels on the table, and I never saw him again.  I rushed out after him in a daze.  My sister saw me and came over quite concerned.  "I've just met a man who knew everything about me," I said.  My sister stroked my cheek.  "There, there Sis"  she says.  She knows my problem with men.  I notice her darting look up to the hot sun.  John 4 1-26

PRAYER: You are free from all barriers.  Thank you that you offer us this freedom too.