Fifth Sunday "Get up and Walk"

 

Avenue at Middelharnis (1689) by  Meindert Hobbema
National Gallery, London

All religions will pass, but this will remain: simply sitting in a chair and looking in the distance.  V.V. Rozanov, Solitaria, 1912

At a time when our lives have been slowed down by isolation and immobility, there is a lot to be said for just being able to sit and stare.  I have a pair of binoculars on my table and make a mad dash for them as I see what might be a woodpecker, or gold crest, in the branches of a tree.  If all is stripped away, what are we left with?  Because this is all that is important.   

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven

What would you prefer, expensive perfume, or a good reputation?

The day of your death is even more significant than your birth.

Funerals are more meaningful than parties.

Sorrow is more profound than laughter.

Sorrow can change your destiny.

A fool ignores death with many distractions.

 

Extortion and bribes corrupt the heart.

Finishing is more significant than starting.

Move on from the ‘good old days’.

Wisdom and wealth are a powerful combination;

But it is wisdom that saves your life.

 

Accept what the Creator has done,

Building with the crooked beams of humanity (cf Immanuel Kant)

Enjoy what you have today.  Remember that it might change.

Nothing is certain in this life

 

I have seen beautiful young people cut down, and the wicked grow old in luxury.

 

How to find a balance in life?

Just as I try to be humble, happy and wise,

These are out of my reach.

I easily find the opposite;

No problem there.

 

I believe that the Creator intended us to be perfect,

But each of us has followed our own downward path.

PRAYER: When all is taken away, I am left with only you.  You are all I need, and I bless you.

Lent Twenty Eight "Get up and Walk" incomplete

 

Cave Painting found on the Island of Sulawesi, Indonesia

Religion consists of believing that everything that happens is extraordinarily important.  It can never disappear from the world, precisely for this reason.  

Cesare Pavese, This Business of Living: Diaries 1935-50

Reading about Pavese tragic, beautiful life makes me feel that he is allowed to say what he likes.  We run the risk of take ourselves too seriously.  But Pavese found no reason to live and ended his life when he was 41.   It was when I was sixteen that I found my contemporaries became more relaxed and stopped taking themselves so seriously.  I did too.  You can be less anxious when you allow the world not to make complete sense.  

I return to my reflection that organised religion is likely to be a relative new coming on this planet.  We miss the point if we think it is religion that is the important thing.  To me it is the connection between all things, with the most important connection being to the 'vine'.  Here is a simple story of an everyday gift of food.  Food will always remain important to humans- something that can never disappear from the world.

Gospel according the John Chapter Six       

                    Feast And Fast

                All these people!  This has become a phenomenon.

                They can't get enough of him.

                Taken time off, trapesing across the country.

                Is he that good?

 

                Now he wants them all to be looked after.

                They're getting hungry.

                Isn't it obvious this was going to happen?

                And we're going without all the time.

 

                Let's do a whip round.

                Typical - nothing - totally unprepared.

                Kind kid- What would his mum say?

                Well done Andrew.

 

                Here have some, but don't be greedy.

                It's got to go round 5000.

                I should really be back at work, not party to this fiasco.

 

                He looks up to heaven, says the grace.

                "Thank you God to the lucky winner of some kid's lunch."

 

                What's this? Hand it out.  Sure. Nothing to do with me mate.

                A bit more?  Bigger lunch than I thought.

                Hey you, give us a hand, this isn't finished.

 

                Umm, quite tasty. That's a great bread 'n' fish sandwich.

                Anyone for more?  Yes, no problem. Here pass it on,

                Plenty where it came from.

                You! No need to grab.  I'll serve you last!

 

                Do you mind if I borrow your basket?

                You'll get it back for sure, with interest.

                Vegetarian?! Just fling the fish to the cats!

 

                I'm a bit uneasy about this.

                This lot are going to want more and more.

                I know what 'He' will be saying;

                'Food's one thing, but it's not enough.

                It's spiritual food you're craving.

                This stuff 'll fill you up for a day.

                You need manna that will sort you out for eternity.'

 

                I'm going to suggest next time,

                Let's be a bit harsh.

                A little nibble and a small sip.

                That's you limit.

 

PRAYER:  Thank you for the life sustaining presence.

Lent Twenty Seven "Get up and Walk"

 

Wheat Field with Cypresses Vincent Van Gogh
Metropolitan Art Gallery New York

Fortunately, in her kindness and patience, Nature has never put the fatal question as to the meaning of their lives into the mouths of most people.  And where no one asks, no one needs to answer.  

Jung, ‘The Development of Personality’, 1934

When Grace Graham, wife of the evangelist Billy Graham,  was asked about her conversion experience, she explained that she had grown up knowing the presence of God in her life from the start.  As she grew older she became more aware of this presence, and developed a relationship.  She said that it was similar to her the development of her relationship with her mother and father.  I believe that Jung's sentiment is 'tongue in cheek'.  He is saying, 'why trouble their pretty little heads?'  The person who does not consider meaning in their life is the person who focuses on the little things, and looks only in one direction.  Not a bad thing, but not exactly free.  

Gospel according to John Chapter Fourteen

Just Say Again

Jesus:  Hey, don't let yourselves be glum!  You know the creator of all things, and you trust me! Where I am going is a wonderful place. I'll make sure that there's provision for everyone. I'm not leading you on, I'm serious.  And you know exactly how to get there.

Thomas:  Ah, that's the problem we haven't a clue.  Just say again.

Jesus: It's me.  Follow me, and you will get there.  I bring you into complete truth, and life as it's designed to be lived.  If you know me, you know the creator of all.  So just think, you've now actually met your creator!

 Philip:  Yes, that's the bit we need.  Just show us the creator.

 Jesus:  Look at me Philip, Look.  How do you think I have been able to speak with such authority, and do the wonderful things you have seen happen?  I'm not some crazy magician.  It's the creator inside me.  We are one together.  What's more, we can be inside you too, and you will continue to see amazing things happen. Your lives will bring us both glory and honour.  Ask for anything in my name, we are with you, just think of 

PRAYER: I can not 'drum up' or 'imagine' your presence with me.  Like a parent with a new born child; you are never far away, and I thank you.

Lent Twenty Six "Get up and Walk"

 

Der Mönch am Meer (Monk by the Sea)
by Casper David Friedrich-Alte Nationalgaleria, Berlin

God made everything out of nothing.  But the nothingness shows through.  Paul Valéry, Mouvaisers pensées et autres, 1942

Is this a comment on God, or on us? Or on the stuff between?  There is a discomfort, a disappointment, a disconnect here.  It is as if we are born into a labyrinth.  In the dark, we bump around discovering things.  Our present time likes to think that we have learnt from the fruitless search of the past.  The false summits, and shared prejudices.  

But although the life we observe appear to be have holes and unanswerable paradoxes, there is something that will not go away.  I have a relationship with something that is beyond me; that is not me, because it does not think like me.  It is not a projection of greatness in my head.  This is the being in the nothingness, who helps me to live more than physically.  This is the one who lightens my darkness.

Letter to the Hebrews Chapter Two

  We must pay attention to this ageless message, If we take our eye off the ball, we could easily be lost. Jesus’ authority was confirmed by an astonishing outpouring of signs and wonders. The incredible thing is that the Creator has never given up on us. We have been made just less than superhumans! When Jesus came, he took on our limitations. He led from the front, prepared to sacrifice himself for all people. This restoration brings us back into the royal family. So our Creator took on the form of his creation and walked with us. As a human he was subjected to the torments of sickness and evil. Only by dying for us is the curse of being cut off from the life source restored. It was the only way, destined from the dawn of time, to remove evil and wickedness from the world. Even before the first deliberate act of hurt was committed, we were warned, “being cut off would lead to death.”

PRAYER: Lighten my darkness I plead with you Creator.

Lent Twenty Five "Get up and Walk"

 

The Wise Virgins - Blake, Tate Gallery, London

To the frivolous Christianity is certainly not glad tidings, for it wishes first of all to makes them serious.  Søren Kierkegaard, Journal, 1847

Great point Kierkegaard - whose name in Danish means graveyard.   Who is interested in the superficial,  temporary, partial and unconsummated?  This is like the Christian festivals which have been softened into a mush.  What about having the courage to look life square in the face.  This is not the opium- the tranquilliser.  This is freedom from fear.  An ablity to ask any question knowing that the answer is secondary to the reality of feeling the firm rock of the Creator under your feet.  What about when you can not feel this?  It doesn't stop it being there.

The account of Jesus Life according to John - Chapter Four

I work in a cafe in a Palestinian town called Nablus.  Although our premises is near the religious site called Jacob’s 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 cafe 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 requested 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.

“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.

“Jacob's well is special, but it will never satisfy you for long,” he says. “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." 

"Why don't I talk with your husband?” he says. (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.

"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.

 PRAYER:  Having found the source of life, strength and gladness, I will never leave you.

Lent Twenty Four "Get up and Walk"

 

Self Portrait - Ben Quilty

If I lose at play, I blaspheme, and if my fellow loses, he blasphemes, so that God is always sure to be the loser. 

John Donne, sermon, 1623

In the beginning, God decided to be the loser.  Others have accused him of also being a liar, for he said if you go against my wishes and eat of this tree, that day, you will surely die.  Those who know the Creator know that this is true.  To be separated from the Creator is like death.  It is like the children who are born into loveless, emotionless homes.  To be without our Creator is to be born into a world low on oxygen.  But from the beginning God made a way to restore the bond.

 Letter to the Hebrew Believers Chapter Three and Four

 So this Jesus deserves to be heard, and honoured. We revere great leaders from the past, and Jesus deserves to be given the greatest place. When you hear his voice, do not cringe, or turn away. This fate has happened to so many people who have spoken for the Creator. It is such an insult, and deeply upsetting. This is why in anger it was said- “They will not be able to live with me and share my home.” Beware! This is certainly very serious. To turn away in derision is to cut your own life-line.  But the Creator has not left it there. A way back to the place of rest has been made. Even in the height of the Creator’s anger, there is mercy. There have been times in history when our people have been able to rest. But they have been like the Sabbath; the following day we return to work. The message from the Creator is precise and actuate. It is like a sharp knife, cutting the good meat off the bone. It is clear about what is healthy and true, and what is fabricated. Before the Creator, nothing is hidden. So we have a skilled ‘advocate’, Jesus, who understands our weakness because he has seen it all. We can step forward before our Creator with courage knowing that we will receives mercy and grace.

PRAYER:  You are the source of my life and I honour you.

Lent Twenty Three "Get up and Walk"

 

Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1525-1569), Flemish
Children Playing
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

It is absurd to try to make children’s games reasonable and a great folly to try to purify religions.  

Rémy De Courmont, The Cultivation of Ideas. 1900

This quote reminds me of a seminar I went to with my Father-in-law about sharing faith with people who had no prior experience.  The advice was not to make our church communities fit in with society.  We would most likely fail anyway.  But the person who meets Jesus finds that they are so attracted to Jesus, that they cannot help but join a Christian community.  And before you know it, they will be wanting to give their small meager amounts of money to it as well.  This is the miracle of the new relationship.  

Ruth Chapter One

In the early days of Israel, hardship and deprivation hit the people. Ethan and his wife Naomi left their farm in search of better prospects. With their two young sons, they left Bethlehem and travelled east to Jordan. Tragedy travelled with them, and soon Ethan was dead, leaving Naomi to bring up her two boys by herself. These boys, Marlon and Kilion, grew into fine young men who fell in love, and married lovely local women. For ten years Naomi was surrounded by happiness. Then death struck again. Her two boys died, one after the other. Naomi was left with her daughter-in-law’s, Oprah and Ruth, alone in a foreign land. Naomi got wind that things were looking up for Israel; she might be safer with her own family. She spoke with Oprah and Ruth and suggested they might like to return to their families. They had good prospects and could start their lives afresh. Naomi knew that her future would continue to be tough. Oprah agreed to separate, but Ruth was not so sure. Ruth loved Naomi, and respected her. She made it clear that now she was committed to Naomi and her fortunes. Ruth assured Naomi saying: “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. The one you worship, I will worship. And when I die, I will be buried next to you. My life will be much worse if I was to be separated from you.” Naomi was impressed, and remonstrated no more. The two women journeyed to Bethlehem. As they entered the town, many old people recognised Naomi, and were overjoyed to see her. “Naomi!” They exclaimed. “Call me Bitter", she replied, “for my life has not worked out well.” 

PRAYER:  I accept what you have given me with gratitude.