Holy Saturday

John 19:38-42

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

* * *

At first blush this passage seems very straightfoward - a factual accounting of Joseph and Nicodemus preparing Jesus' body for burial. There is no conversation, no controversy; there are only two adjectives to give depth to what is happening. But I think what is more compelling is what is not said. This must have been a time of such great confusion, fear, and despair on the part of the disciples. They had put their full faith - staked their lives and reputations - on this Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah, and now he was dead. What do you do, and where do you turn, when for all the evidence you can glean it seems your God is dead?

I find it interesting that those who asked Pilate for Jesus' body and buried him were not Jesus' right hand men. John and Peter and the other "main characters" we know so well are not even mentioned. Instead, it is Joseph and Nicodemus who step up to fufill Jewish tradition and give Jesus a proper burial. I think I probably would have been somewhere with John and Peter - in utter despair and fearing for my life.

I think the lesson here is for those times when it seems like God is dead, or just busy or unconcerned or distant. It is such a great reminder that we just don't see the bigger and more glorious picture - that in our times of darkness and confusion God is working a grand plan of salvation. While the disciples were hiding and mourning, Christ was overcoming the curse of death and bearing our punishment that we might be saved. They just didn't get it, and most of the time I think I am barely grasping on to that truth too. I pray that as we prepare to celebrate Easter we will remember this truth: that when it seems like all hope is lost, God is doing his most glorifying work.

Good Friday

John 18:1-19:42

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?"

So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate asked him, "What is truth?"

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God."

Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor."

When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says,
"They divided my clothes among themselves,and for my clothing they cast lots."And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced."

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

* * *

What a truly heart breaking time, with such a stark dichotomy between the devout courage and selflessness Jesus displays vs. those around him. The theme that strikes me the most in the passage is the testing of human will in doing what is right when doing so brings great adversity and discomfort. This certainly is no easy task. Throughout this passage, however, we unfortunately see time and time again the faltering of couragespans most apparently by the high priests, Pilate and Peter.

When Jesus Is first addressed by the high priests, he does not waver, or hesitate: "if it is Jesus that you seek, I am He". He doesn't run, He does not hide, but even assists them in their task by identifying Himself. Jesus completely offers himself to them with full knowledge of what danger and suffering lies ahead. After Jesus submits himself, Peter, in an act of defiance, cuts the ear off of Malchus. Unfortunatey, while this is a valiant effort Peter has missed the great purpose to which Jesus goes. Jesus fully accepts this immensely difficult path "shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" Jesus then goes willingly to be sacrificed for far greater purposes than that of protecting one's own personal welfare. But Jesus' selflessness and courage is not mirrored by the very contrasting behavior of those around Him.

Firstly, the high priests' authority in their respected positions has been challenged by Jesus. They feel very threatened by His teaching, which has often been counter to their own. After capturing and striking Jesus, Jesus asks "If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" It is much easier at times to give in to one's natural emotions, and always easier to choose the side of self preservation. The high priest's have an opportunity to do what is right, but instead do what is easy. Instead of stopping to question what Jesus' actual crime is and entertain the possibility they are wrong, they instead remain unmoved in their stubbornness of mind. They wish to get rid of this threat and preserve their positions and places of power. Thus they instead do not stop to question their actions, but instead move forward to crucify Christ.

We see a further example in Pilate, who is in a unique position of power, as he decides Jesus' fate. But Pilate too falters in doing what is right for the sake of personal comfort and self preservation. He himself cannot determine any falt of Jesus'. However, he is faced with the great current of the large angry masses at his doorstep exclaiming "Crucify!" Pilate could make a very unpopular decision to release Jesus and do what is right. After all, he cannot find find any wrong done by Jesus and has no reason to crucify him outside of the unwarranted cries of the masses. Sadly, however, in the end Pilate's courage in this situation fails as did the high priests, as he gives Jesus over to be crucified. Pilate cannot overcome his fears of disappointing the masses, and the revolt that would likely ensue.

Of course, the most blatant lack of courage and faintheartedness in this passage is that of Peter. Three times Peter denies his relationship to Christ, fearing condemnation and danger to himself. Peter chooses the path of comfort and self preservation over righteousness and loyalty to his Lord. Perhaps my favorite imagery illuminating the character of this betrayal, is of Peter standing by the fire as he denies Christ. Here we find Peter literally warming and bringing comfort to himself, as he fails to make the loyal, but uncomfortable choice.

However, what is most difficult to me personally about this passage, is that while I can see all of these faults, and fully recognize the wrongdoing in these individuals, I truly don't know if I would have possessed the constitution and necessary courage to behave differently were I in the same position. I certainly know what I would have wanted to do, and dearly hope that I could have done right where these others faltered, but I honestly, and quite sadly, do not know. As I examine my own life, I look at the number of times that I've stood tall for righteousness at the cost of receiving great adversity, calamity, or even violence, Such times are few and far between, or else far milder than those in the passage. I certainly have not put my own life at risk for the benefit of others, nor have I had to staunchly oppose an angry and violent mob of people with disdain for my cause. Most of the time, I seek comfort and ease, with patterns and routines of the familiar and accepted day-to-day living.

But perhaps in this thought we can see one of the points of this passage. That it was not only the high priests and Pilate who crucified Jesus. It is instead the general frailty of will within all human beings, including my own, which crucified Jesus. It is in being broken beings, so susceptible to weakness, who know what is right, but still so often do not do it, that denied and crucified Christ. Indeed, this is a dark and heartbreaking story of Christian life. But if it is to serve some good at all, perhaps it may at least bring great humility, and great honesty as to our own frailty as humans. Perhaps in seeing the great susceptibility to weakness of will inherent in the human condition, we will be emboldened to strive for greater courage and constitution in living out our Christian faith.

Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

* * *


Humility

I found a great blog post that helps explain how we, as servants of God, can be humble servants like Jesus was with his disciples, but do so with a fullness of spirit and a confidence about us that makes us successful in that role.

“To have a strong, large ego isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it is a needed thing, especially if we are ever to achieve anything of worth. Nobody does anything great without a strong ego, and that doesn't mean that he or she isn't humble. For example: Few people would ever think of Mother Theresa as having had a big ego. We think of her as humility incarnate. Yet, clearly, she had a huge ego - a powerful self-image that allowed her to stand before the whole world convinced of her truth, convinced of her worth, and convinced of her importance... She was aware that she was a unique and blessed instrument of God in this world and she was secure enough to act on that. And yet she was humble… She was simply a channel of somebody else's power and grace. She had a huge ego, but she wasn't an egoist. She was never full of herself, only full of God (http://www.37days.com/2009/12/book-.html).”

Jesus spent his time on earth as a channel for God, too, but he did this with such strong humility that his disciples couldn’t wrap their heads around it! Peter’s perception of who Jesus, “The Great Messiah,” was “supposed” to be, seemed to be turned upside down by Jesus’ willingness to do things that a fearless, conquering leader would never be caught dead doing. Jesus was all about breaking down false perceptions of his role on earth- he did this through his healing ministry, through the washing of feet and through his dying on the cross. God sent his son to be a servant; a powerful leader, yes, but primarily he came to be a servant. We must be reminded of our duty to be confident, ego-filled servants to mankind, too. Granted, living after His example is a tough act to follow, but if we “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another,” we have an opportunity to share God’s love and spread His mission in the way that God would hopefully have us do.

Tuesday in Holy Week

Jesus Teaches of His Impending Death, illustration from a 16th century treatise by Martin Luther

* * *

John 12:20-36

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light."

Monday in Holy Week

John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

* * *

In this passage Mary came to wash the feet of Jesus where he was being honored by Lazarus' family because Jesus raied him from the dead. This pleased Jesus.

This passage is very important because many people and the chief priests saw one of Jesus's miracles, the raising of the dead: Lazarus. Jesus also gave a hint and/or warning that he would not always be with them forever.

Palm Sunday

The Feast of the Annunciation

Lent 5

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

* * *

I love this depiction of the passage. I see illuminated in it several emotions that Mary is feeling at this point. In one sense, she appears to be showing great reverence to Jesus, as she believes him to be the true Messiah. We see her bowing her head down low to the floor by Jesus' feet to honor him. Secondly, Mary also appears to be showing great maternal care over Jesus. She knows that Jesus has chosen a very arduous path, and one filled with grave danger. She caresses Jesus' feet with her hair and anoints them with perfume as a comfort and reassurance to Him in traveling this path. This scene is a very endearing one indeed. It is quite a comforting thought to me that Jesus would appreciate and find comfort in such an act, as it illuminates his humanity. To know that Jesus has fully experienced a human life, with all the fears, joys, and natural shocks that flesh is heir to, brings me close to my Savior. Knowing that my Savior did endure such human woes, brings a certain intimacy with Him when experiencing my own darker times.

Saint Jospeh, still

What 20-something hasn't stepped out of a structured environment--a school, a hometown, a job, a relationship--to find him/herself bombarded with questions, both internal and external, of where are you going? what are you doing?. The story of Jesus separating from his parents, getting lost among busyness, is one of those stories that feels relevant even now.

What strikes me most about this reading is when the young Jesus asks, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49).

Why do I trouble myself constantly with questions of where am I now in my life? where am I trying to go?

Isn't it true that no matter where I go, I am in the house of God and where I am trying to go is going further in my relationship with the Lord. Maybe it isn't so bad to feel a little lost in everyday life, in a certain time or place in my life, because there's a wonderful opportunity in that feeling "lost" to deepen my trust in the Holy Spirit, to cultivate my relationship and reliance on God. Instead of questioning myself as to where I am going in my life, feeling aimless at times, I should take comfort in the words of the Lord, "I must be in my Father's house".

In a greater metro area populated with quite a few people who seem so "together" with their life, confident in their career choices and so goal-orientated and driven, it is easy to feel lost in comparison. But even the most together appearing people may merely be complete in a secular sense, but lost in spirit. There is such a distinction between being a little confounded by a temporary sense of disorientation with the many life changes thrust upon 20-somethings as we navigate our new worlds and with a deep spiritual misguidance that surely troubles the soul much more profoundly.

It is a little exciting, to think of the hidden invitation in this Gospel-- go ahead, try to get lost, run amok in a chaotic crowded festival, but with a careful soul turned always to the Lord, you'll never be lost and never homesick. For you are always held safe "in the Father's house".

Saint Joseph's Day

Luke 2:41-52

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

* * *

I find the appointed gospel for the Feast of St. Joseph (Luke 2:41-52) an interesting selection. Granted, the Biblical choices concerning Joseph, the husband of Mary, are few. However, the focus of this passage is not on Joseph, but on Jesus the child: clarifying for all that his Father is God in heaven. The gospel writer tells us that Mary and Joseph were confused by what Jesus said to them (Luke 2: 50), so I feel in good company.

The epistle appointed for the Feast of St. Joseph comes from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (4:13-18). Verse thirteen in one of my favorites from this passage: “For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith” (NRSV). Scholars spend a lot of time reflecting on what is meant by the “righteousness of faith” – especially “righteousness;” however, I wish us to simply look at faith.

For many of us, Lent is a season of the Church year that requires a lot of faith: faith to keep our fasts; faith to embrace a new avenue for spreading the good news; faith to devoutly observe the many and varied opportunities in Lent; faith to prayerfully and devoutly engage the events of Holy Week. For many of us, we find faith easy and simple -- some times -- and difficult and trying -- many times.

What must the faith of Joseph been like? Here is a skilled tradesman, upright and honorable, engaged to marry a wonderful young woman. Then what happens: he finds out his betrothed is pregnant (by the Holy Spirit of God nonetheless); an angel visits, his wife is carrying the Son of God, his world is turned upside down.

In all of this, he marries Mary, and helps rear the child Jesus. This is faith: putting aside one’s own hopes and aspirations in favor of the actions and desires of God. Lent is a time for us to seek ways in which we can set aside our own self-centered focus and seek to embrace what God requires of us. Though this is not easy, the task is not impossible. Through God’s Grace we are empowered to keep the faith and each day draw closer to what God would have us do.

Lent 4

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So Jesus told them this parable:

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

* * *

I absolutely love this parable. I can see a little piece of myself in each of the characters in the story, not that I’m terribly excited to admit it, but it helps to understand why each character is essential and telling of who we are as humans and who our amazing God is.

The parable describes in detail the actions of the younger son who asks for his inheritance before his father’s death, overstepping his position in the family and expecting his father’s generosity to ring true. Not only does the son squander all of his wealth, but he would rather live a life poorer than a pig than return to his home! Sometimes it takes hitting rock-bottom to create change in one’s lifestyle. A family member celebrated 12 years of sobriety this week and could not have made the turn-around in his life without God’s help or the Alcoholics Anonymous program. We have to recognize that through our troubles we are never alone. God is with us, having faith in our abilities, and when we fall, He is always there.

I can also see characteristics of the older son in myself and those around me. He was extremely angered by his father’s compassion, forgiveness and excitement at the return of the younger son. He experienced jealousy and frustration that his hard work all those years had gone seemingly unnoticed. Don’t we all feel that sometimes? We aren’t recognized for a great project at work, or feel unappreciated by friends or family. It’s a hard thing to move past jealousy to a place where we can find acceptance and be at peace. We learn from this parable that it does not have to be about success or failure in life, but how we react to those successes and failures. We must be able to rejoice and be grateful for all that God gives us and know that His love is unending.

Forgiveness is an extremely hard thing to give, but the Father gives it to even the most undeserving of us all. Not only does he rejoice in his younger son’s return, but he even kills the fattened calf in celebration! No wonder the older son was upset! As hard as it is for us to forgive, it must be equally, if not more challenging for God to grant forgiveness to all those who betray Him or ignore Him on a regular basis. We can find comfort in that undeserved love, that no matter what we do, we have God to see us through and forgive us if we ask for it. Thank the Lord!

Lent 3

Luke 13:1-9

There were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

* * *

You must not judge people to harshly or be quick to condem people who sins because everyone sins. You should ask God for forgiveness when you sin. God is understanding and when you sin, just ask for forgiveness and he will willingly do so.

You must be patient, for if you are too hasty for whatever you are seeking may not happen. Give it a little time and put more effort then what you are seeking will eventually whatever you are seeking may come, however: if it it doesn't happen then there probably a reason why.

Lent 2

Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

* * *

As I read Luke 13:31-35, I was struck by how in it Luke upends the ordinary roles we (or at least I) expect from both Jesus and the Pharisees. Whether my surprise is a function of an incomplete understanding of the context of this story or is a normal reaction to Luke's effort to keep us on our toes, this passage certainly provided some food for thought.

First, it is interesting to see the Pharisees assuming what appears to be a protective role with respect to Jesus. After all, are these not the same Pharisees who from my earliest Sunday School memories are held up as targets of scorn, the quintessential examples of what not to do and how not to behave if one wishes to truly live a Godly life? Yet here they are rushing to warn Jesus that Herod is plotting to kill Him. But perhaps I give those crafty Pharisees too much credit; are they perhaps acting in an entirely self-interested manner? Consider that Jesus is performing miracles (casting out demons, healing the sick, etc.); this cannot help but leave the Pharisees, who must be accustomed to being the "big deal" in town, looking and feeling second-rate. Are they perhaps, then, simply feigning concern for Jesus and ushering him out of town in an effort to rid themselves of an unwanted rival?

Second, Luke tells us of a somewhat different Jesus from the one of which I usually find myself thinking (again, perhaps due to visions ingrained in Sunday School as a youth). Is it not a bit surprising to hear of Jesus acting so cocky? This is not Jesus-as-martyr or Jesus-as-teacher, this is Jesus as tough guy, telling "that fox" Herod that he'll leave Jerusalem when he's darn good and ready! I envision a tent-revival-type setting, with Jesus at the middle of a crowd, healing, preaching, exorcising, etc., when all of a sudden a few Pharisees enter from stage right, whisper in His ear, perhaps expecting Him to scurry offstage to some secure location. But of course Jesus defies them and instead keeps right on doing what he's doing, with more bluster and bravado than I'm used to seeing!

Yet then, in yet another twist, Jesus seems to retreat from His bluster, only to express Himself in yet another somewhat unfamiliar way, like a frustrated parent throwing his hands up in exasperation at kids who, despite his best efforts, just won't listen. Why, Jerusalem? Why won't you just help me help you?

All of this leads up to a third seemingly unusual picture of Jesus: Jesus in a fit of pique. Here is Jesus at the end of the passage essentially taking his toys and going home! He tells the people of Jerusalem, "Fine! You don't want me? I'm outta here, and I ain't comin' back until you change your tune!"

Luke definitely threw me a curveball in this passage, one which forced me to admit that too often I find myself neglecting to explore the multifaceted nature of some of the most familiar Biblical figures.

Saint Matthias

John 15:1, 6-16

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become* my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants* any longer, because the servant* does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

* * *

Someone gave me a pop quiz the other day, asking me to name the 12 apostles. I didn’t do very well. I was only able to name two right off the bat (Peter and Judas); after some thinking, I got up to nine. And, perhaps not surprisingly, Matthias was never on my list.

Do you not remember him either? Matthias is sort of a B-List apostle: he was chosen by lot after the death of Judas so that there would still be twelve primary disciples. (Twelve was a significant number for Jesus’ Jewish followers, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.) Matthias doesn’t seem to have possessed any particular qualifications for apostleship (other than having not betrayed Jesus), and he doesn’t seem to have done anything especially remarkable after his election as an apostle.

And yet it’s precisely this anonymity that I find particularly comforting about Matthias. Especially at the beginning of Lent, I sometimes get lured into thinking I have to prove what I great disciple I am. (I can give up not just one sweet, but all sweets! For forty days! I’m amazing! Surely God must love me for how amazing I am!) And then I think about Matthias. He wasn’t particularly great. He was just . . . there. And his presence and his willingness was enough, with God’s help.

We get promised, in the gospel for this day, that we are all branches of the same vine. And there is blessed relief in that image. We don’t have to be extraordinary. We don’t have to do it all—whatever it is—on our own. We just have to stay rooted in God, and connected to God. And God, thank God, does the rest.

First Sunday in Lent

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written,

'Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.'"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

'He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,'

and

'On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

* * *

The temptation of Jesus is, to me, one of the most relevant passages in the Bible to our daily lives. All of us, daily are tempted, whether it be to break our diet, to "win" something in the wrong way, or to doubt our faith. The possibilities, and the temptations, are endless. I know that I myself fight with temptation, big and small, every day. And, unlike the stories in the Bible, the temptations we face in our daily lives and the "right" choices are not always immediately obvious. Often they are hidden, often the "right" choice is not easily defined. This is perhaps the greatest struggle of our adult lives: to live a life of good choices, to be a good person, to stand by our commitments, to follow Jesus' example, to have faith.

And yet these are also some of the most basic lessons from the Bible that we teach children. Be true to yourself. Know who you are. Do not give in to temptation. Take the high road. Goodness is it's own reward. Trust that God will lead the way, light your path, set you on the course of life that is right for you. Is it odd that we stake out these positions for children in such black and white terms, when frequently they arise in situations that are anything but clear cut?

What would have been the most difficult of Jesus' temptations for you, the reader, to bear? For me, it would be the third. At the point at which Jesus is likely physically and emotionally weakened from fasting and the prior two temptations, how easy would it have been for him to say, fine, you don't believe I am the Son of God? You don't believe that God protects his own? Fine. Here it is. Now do you believe me? And I personally find that temptation the most, well, tempting from an absolute standpoint. It's the most intangible, it's the one that has nothing to do with the physical. It rests solely on faith, on belief, on the unknown. It is the one that, in my own life, when things do not go as I had hoped or planned, I try to remind myself of, over and over again. Do not test God. He needs no testing. He has nothing to prove. Just open your heart, accept God's love, and have faith.

Ash Wednesday

‘I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word’ (BCP 265).


Today, Ash Wednesday, begins the season of Lent. For the next forty days, excluding Sundays, we are called to a period of self-examination and repentance and reading and inwardly digesting the Holy Scriptures. One of my earliest memories of Ash Wednesday, and more broadly season of Lent, is taken from my early elementary-school days. Inevitably, the kids in my class would begin asking “What are you giving up for Lent?” “Chocolate”, “being rude to others”, and, in jest (most of the time) “homework” topped the list. Almost as inevitably, about half way through Lent someone would say, “You’re not fasting! You said you gave up chocolate, and I saw you eat a piece of Chocolate.” Laughs would be exchanged and before long our Lenten disciplines had gone the way of a myriad other hollow promises.

Observing Lent is not a childhood game of who can give up something the longest. Observing Lent is a spiritual discipline that guides us into a deeper relationship with God and a more mature understanding of ourselves.

In the reading from the gospel according to Matthew (6:1-6, 16-21) appointed for Ash Wednesday, Jesus offers sage advice for one seeking to begin and continue a spiritual discipline. At the heart of today’s passage from Matthew is Jesus calling us into a close relationship with God that is exclusively between us and God. We are called to not hamper our spiritual discipline by flaunting it before others. No, we are to engage in a spiritual relationship for the benefits we will receive by our close interaction with God. Once we have had that close interaction with God, then we are more prepared to take what we have gleaned from this experience and somehow seek to take that into the world. All the while remembering and recalling that we do this for God and a deeper understanding of our self not because Lent is a fun game to see what and for how long we can engage in some sort of self sacrifice.

We are called to observe a holy Lent. Who knows how we will grow: that is between God and each one of us individually.

Lent: Coming Soon!

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, we'll be trying something new: reflections on the gospel, written by members of the Trivium community. We'll be posting on Sundays, as well as on major feast days and each day during Holy Week. So check back for insight, inspiration, and a shared Lenten discipline.