Sixth Sunday "Get up and Walk"

 

Christ at the Column by Djanira da Motta e Silva,
Private Collection, Rio de Janerio

“The hardness of God is 

kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.”  

C S Lewis, Surprised By Joy: The Shape of My Early Life.

Today is the last Sunday in Lent.  The Easter story is one we have become desensitised to.  If it were altered a bit, we might be 'hit in the face' by the awfulness of the story.  It is the worst of evil at work, at an individual, social and institutional level.  

Gospel According to John Chapter Nineteen

It's a rare sight to see someone die in public.

It induces an evil, seductive fascination.

A state that can only be achieved with company. 

A 'what are they doing here?' innocence.

 

In prolonged agony Jesus called out in thirst.

Not a request, but wine was stuck in his face.

A strange action for a man who was drying up.

 

When the bodies of those men were lowered,

Jesus had been dead for some time.  

The other victims were a tangled mess,

Jesus’ body was strangely complete.  

Pierced with a blade, pied-blood flowed from his side.

 

Friends, Joseph and Nicodemus discussed what to do.

The Judge was keen to get this aberration tidied up.

"Yes please, do dispose of the body."

"I agree it should never have happened this way."

"We'll never live this one down."

 

"My family has recently purchased a tomb.

It's nearby, let's put his body there."

"I brought the embalming kit."

"Act quickly, the whole city is closing for the holiday."

PRAYER:  I can bare the horrors of this world, because you have already done so.

Lent Thirty Four "Get up and Walk"

 

Die Jagd Nach Dem Gluck (Chasing After Happiness) 

By Edmund Youngerbauer. Smithsonian Museum

If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.  

William James, Varieties of Religious Experience, 1902.

It the past happiness was only the pursuit of  kings and emperors.  Now, like holidays, its for all of western society.  Perhaps happiness should be seen as a secondary gain.  I seek to love others as I care about myself, and I am given happiness, like a free gift.  I seek to honour my Creator, to care about the needs of those I live with, my neighbours, my distant neighbours in far off countries... and I receive happiness as a byproduct.  For some people this is extremely difficult, because they are feeling depressed.  Depression can turn the eye inward.  My a tiny bit of happiness is like striking a match in a dark room. Here are some of King Solomon thoughts.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Six

This is what I find so perplexing.

Some people experience great success.

They live notable lives and have many children.

But they die, and what have they achieved? 

Sometimes nothing of what they have done is noticed.

 

Others are born into poverty.

All they have to hold on to is wisdom.

 

Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get.

 

About The Future

The Creator knows already every outcome,

Like an old much loved film.

Our lives are flickering shadows.

It’s not for us to know the outcome.

PRAYER:  I seek first to live in your world, and know that everything else is taken care of.

The great motif - "Die Jagd Nach Dem Gluck"

1866 Rudolf Friedrich August Henneberg - Alte Nationalgalerie - Berlin

Postcard- For sale on oldthing.de 

German anti Bolshevik Poster - Peace Palace Gallery, The Hague.

By Theo Zasche, Political Cartoonist 1924 - (for sale on ebay)

Original Sketch - Städel Museum, Frankfurt 

1930's Film Poster

Lent Thirty Three "Get up and Walk"

 

Untitled-painting by Allen Anthony- Hansen, Ugallery

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. Alexander Pope, Letter, 1727

Born in London, Pope rather neatly moved to to Popeswood, near Bracknell, where Catholic were afforded great freedom and safety.  Pope lived in challenging times, but the question remains. What do I want?  What do I hope for?  

Haggai

I hear you saying that it is not yet time to return and restore the place of worship for the Creator. Yet you are looking after yourselves quite nicely. You know that this lifestyle does not satisfy. You work hard, but gain little profit. You eat well, but never feel full. You drink when thirsty, but it’s not quite enough. You buy rich clothes but they don’t keep you warm. And your pockets always seem to have holes in them! Put your hearts and minds into doing something for the Creator, and meaning will return to your lives. You will see that what you turn your hand to will succeed. The leaders and the people actually listened. They understood the meaning of the message. On the 21st September they began to invest in restoring places of worship. 

17th October 520 BCE  

I am wondering if you ever saw the previous buildings? It is of no consequence. The Creator’s presence is in you. You have nothing to fear. I assure you, the former greatest of this work will return. All peoples from the surrounding regions will see it and marvel at the riches and splendour. 

18th December 520 BCE 

Let’s test the leaders to see how their faith has stood up over time. If you have set aside money for the Creator, but remember something you really need as you prepare to make your gift, is ok to postpone the gift? The leaders were clear, ‘not at all - our first priority it to give back to the Creator, and trust that our needs will be met.’ What about if the money has come from unethical sources? ‘Then it is an unsuitable gift.’ You are correct, and have explained why things went so wrong in the past. You are putting things right, and blessing will come as a consequence. 

Haggai informed the leaders of future tumult; that great changes were about to happen in the nations. But they would be protected because they had restored their relationship, and remained faithfulness. 

PRAYER:  I walk with the Creator of all in me.  All things are possible.

Lent Thirty Two "Get up and Walk"

 

The Game of Chess by Sofonisba Angussissola, 
National Museum in Poznań, Poland

It would not be better if things happened to men just as they wish.  Heraclitus, Fragments, 52 C 500 BCE

This painting was completed in 1555 by the twenty three (ish) year old Sofonisba.  How is came to move across Europe is interesting.  It was acquired by Lucian, the younger brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, but changed hands many times before arriving in Poznań. Sofonisba was talent-spotted by the king of Spain, who saw what an incredible artist she was.  It's worth a trip to Poznań just for this.

Heraclitus notes that sometimes we don't know what is good for us.  It reminds me of my thought that an averagely intelligent twelve year old could probably address all the problems of the world., and put them right, within thirty minutes of deliberation.  We are helpless babes, how need a saviour.

Zechariah One and Two

In a myrtle grove, in a shallow valley, I saw a man seated on a red horse. Behind him rode other riders on red, white and brown horses. I asked the messenger beside me “what does this mean?” The messenger reassured me that I was about to find out. “These are a patrol sent by the Creator to all corners of the globe.” One came over to the messenger and reported that the whole earth was at peace. The messenger looked up to the heavens and called out: “Creator of all, you have held anger against these people for seventy years. When will be the time of mercy?” I heard the reply, spoken straight away, with such kind and comforting words. Patiently the messenger explained: “Your task is to tell the people. Tell them that the Creator is loving and passionate. The Creator cares about what you have been through. Other nations are at peace despite inflecting hardship on you. The Creator now shows you mercy. You will come back to your city and rebuild its meeting places. Prosperity and order will return.” Then I noticed strange beasts with four horns. The messenger nodded and said these represent the nations that gored Israel. And following the beasts came four blacksmiths. “These people will hound the beasts and inflect revenge.” Next appeared a person carrying a measuring tape. Again I heard the explanation. “The city is to be measured and prepared for the returning people. Such a throng will gather that some will have to wait outside, but the Creator will protect them all with a wall of fire. And the Creator’s glory will fill every part of the city.” “Welcome, come back home. You are now untouchable. Shout joyfully, beautiful Jerusalem; I am coming to live amongst you. You will be joined by many from other nations. Be still, all humanity, and witness what the Creator is doing.”

PRAYER:  I trust what you are doing, and that you act with love and compassion.

Lent Thirty One "Get up and Walk"

 

Oum-El-Dounia  by Lara-Baladi, Freer and Sackler Galleries, Smithsonian.

The love of life is necessary to the vigorous prosecution of any undertaking. Dr Johnson, The Rambler, 1750 - 52

The love of life.  I can imagine arriving in heaven and being asked over a first meal, "Well, what did you think?  Was it good?  Was it amazing?  What did you do?"  And how would we answer?  

Proverbs Chapter Nine

‘Wisdom’ has prepared a great banquet.

From within her splendid mansion she invites the simple and meek.

Come and join me, eat and drink.

I have only the best here.

Join me and experience life to the full.

 

Don’t bother correcting the mocker- you will get hurt.

But the wise value correction.  They have their ears open.

 

The core of wisdom is to honour your creator.

Wisdom will bless you.  That is its gift.

 

The paradox of folly is it cannot see itself.

It does not realise that its ways are lies,

And that they will all lead to dead-ends.

PRAYER:  I want to appreciate all I have been given.  Thank you for what you have given me.

Lent Thirty "Get up and Walk"

 

Debris in Aleppo by Tony Kwaman - Kwaman Gallery

I can’t tell if a straw ever saved a drowning man, but I know that a mere glance is enough to make despair pause.  For in truth, we who are creatures of impulse, are not creatures of despair.  

Joseph Conrad, Chance, 1913

Every morning the challenge is...to live... says Albert Camus. The way to truly live, is to have hope.  But hope that is based on fingers crossed, genuflect and look up to the sky, as seen every week as footballers come onto the pitch or score a goal, is not enough.  Hosea chose a challenging life.  He married the love of his life, but was warned that he would experience hardship.  When the Creator formed us, I guess the same warning was known already. 

Hosea Chapter Three

The Creator spoke again. “Stay faithful to your unfaithful wife, and show her tenderness. This will be a picture of how I also treat the people of Israel.” So I paid off my wife’s debts, and brought her back from the slums. I asked her to be faithful to me, and we would devote ourselves to reconciliation. This was also the pattern for Israel, in finding new life, a real change was necessary. Eventually the people will see how wonderful this love is, and it will make them tremble with awe.

PRAYER:  One day I will fully know what was the price you paid for me.  I praise you now for this.

Lent Twenty Nine "Get up and Walk"

 

Shame Totem by Gregory Fricker, Ugallery 

The world is shamefully managed, one hardly knows to whom to complain.  Ronald Firbank, Mrs Shamefoot in Vainglory, 1915

Do we expect things to be the perfection we see in our own mind's eye?  Kant's famous quote also comes to mind.  "Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made."   And nothing seems to flow in a straight line.  But perhaps let us start with this as a given.  

Lamentation Chapter Three

I have witnessed the Creator’s anger.  I have been draw into the dark places where the flesh creeps, and bodies break.  I am walled into an impenetrable cell.  I shout and scream, but no one hears me.  The Creator waits like a bear to attack.  I am dragged off the path and torn to pieces.  I hear laughter in my ears; it is my own people mocking me.  What a bitter cup of sorrow the Creator hands to me.  I survive by chewing gravel.  All I have hoped for drains away.  I will never forget these awful times.  But yet there remains a faint memory:

The steadfast love of the Creator never fails.  The Creator’s mercy never come to an end. 

They are new every morning!

And I remember that I am promised an inheritance, and my hope again rises.

The Creator blesses those who search; who depend; who wait patiently.

There is a special blessing for those who submit to the Creator from a young age.

They have the strength to sit down in the dust, to retain their hope, to turn the other cheek to those who oppress them, to accept insults from their enemies.

For we are not abandoned forever.  From grief flows compassion.  The Creator does not enjoy pain and suffering.  The down trodden are never over-looked.  Why do we complain?  We are just humans who are players in our own afflictions. 

Let us examine our ways, and return to our Creator.  Let us lift up our hearts and hands and offer praise to our maker.  We have caused you great harm, and we are not let off.  The consequent is terrible to bare.  We find we are a long way off and our voice is weak. 

Tears pour from my eye; they never cease, until you notice.

My enemies, who I never harmed, have cast me in a pit.  The waters rises.

I call to you and say “It is finished.”

In my despair I called on you, and you heard my voice.  “Do not fear,” You say.

Save me, redeem me, plead my case.

My enemies whisper and mutter.

Protect me from my enemies!

PRAYER:  All I surely know is that you will never leave me or forsake me, and I praise you today.