April 15, 2019

Monday in Holy Week

Then he said, “ Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “ Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

The hauntingly beautiful and reassuring Taize chant captures this passage so perfectly when you sing it quietly by yourself or in a crowd with thousands. The simple refrain, sung in a round, sung in parts, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Our faith continues to conflate past, present, and future, reminding us that being in God’s presence is history, is the immediate now, and is simultaneously a hope for the future. The hope for the future underscores the gnawing doubt that we have not yet been accepted by Jesus into the kingdom, the fear that God could somehow forget us: ridiculous, and yet such a powerful anxiety.

With all of the people in the universe, why would God remember me? Who am I that I would even be a blip on God’s radar screen, let alone a cherished memory, a loved friend who will be welcomed back home to the family table?

March 15, 2019

Friday after the First Sunday in Lent

“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”

Luke 22: 31-34

Recently I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s television show, “Parts Unknown.” In this episode he visited the Canadian province of Quebec. He joined a group of chefs on a hunting expedition which included looking for the results from beaver traps. I was disconcerted when one of the traps proved successful, resulting in a rather horrific death for the beaver by trap and drowning.

Why do I tell you this gruesome story? Jesus warns us to be on guard as to how we live our lives. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with…the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly.” Now I am certain that had that young beaver understood the consequences of going near and eventually into that trap, he would have swum around it.

Unlike the beaver we have been warned and we have been given the choice or choices throughout the Gospels – forgive and you will be forgiven; don’t forgive and you will not be forgiven. Show mercy and receive mercy, don’t show mercy and you will receive none; avoid the concerns of this world and avoid the trap, don’t and be trapped.

March 1, 2018

Thursday after the Second Sunday in Lent

And he came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” Mark 14: 41-42

 

Was it so much to ask that the disciples sit and watch? No wonder on finding them asleep the third time, Jesus is disgusted with them. Given the heaviness of fear, trepidation and terror that weigh so heavily upon him, at best all the disciples could offer Jesus in these hours is their presence. None of them is equipped with an experience of life that could offer guidance, wisdom, even consolation to Jesus. Their very presence is all they have. And that is something each of them – each of us – can offer in times of deepest distress. Be aware of the pain that others bear that you can never know. We know from sitting by the bed of a sick child; waiting with a friend for the results of a critical lab test; holding a deathbed vigil. Oddly, families visiting prisoners on the day of execution are permitted relatively short visits. But the disciples have failed to offer Jesus what they could – the comfort of their presence. And now it is too late. The moment has urgently come upon them all. There is no need to counsel the disciples any further. Jesus must be sick with anxiety and fear, yet he resolutely faces squarely what comes next. “Let us be going.” What might the disciples have experienced in waiting with Jesus? How powerful an experience to be in Jesus’ and God’s presence on this terrible night! What revelation of God did they miss that enabled Jesus to face his betrayer, one of his very own, into the hands of his enemies, and what would follow? Mark’s spare and direct account captures the depth and breadth of the terror, betrayal and regret of this moment. Have mercy on us, God, have mercy.

 

The Rev. Jo Ann B. Jones
Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr