April 7, 2020
Good afternoon,
Wednesday of Holy Week
" A dispute also arose among them to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But Jesus said to them, " The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you, rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and leader like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves ? Is it not the one at the table ? But I am among you as the one who serves ." Luke 22:24-27 ( RSV )
The disciples do not get it, and neither do I. The disciples have walked with Jesus for three years. He was teaching them through parables, miracles and scripture. This short episode takes place a few days before Jesus dies, and they still want the power of the group. I believe there were many discussions like this one between the disciples. And now they are afraid what will happen to Jesus. He said he was going to die, and they wondered what will happen to "us". The discussion about G.O.A.T., Greatest Of All Time, is appropriate when we are stressed or anxious. Of course the disciples want some assurances from Jesus. I wonder who was winning who was going to be the best, before Jesus stopped the conversation.
The world, including the church, have had political power struggles forever. Even now, politics gets in the way, when nations are trying to find our way through the Virus. The call is to serve one another. That is our calling as a church; no more politics allowed. The church must serve the community as the world changes forever in the middle of CoVid 19 .
" Nothing should go back to normal.
Normal wasn't working.
If we go back to the way things were,
We will have lost the lesson.
May we rise and do better. ——- Anonymous ( 2020 )
The disciples needed to change, just like the church will be on new ground, on the other side of the pandemic. I do not know what it will look like over yonder. I do not get it, and what it all means yet, if ever. But, we must work together, just like the disciples of Jesus had to get over themselves to change the world in the name of Jesus.
Poem from Mary Oliver ( 1935-2019 )
The Poet Thinks About The Donkey
On the outskirts of Jerusalem
the donkey waited.
Not especially brave, or filled with understanding,
he stood and waited……
I hope, finally, he felt brave.
I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him,
as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped , as he had to, forward .
——–
Praying for understanding, wisdom and patience, together, forever.
Fred
Ponder Anew 