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.