Saturday, April 15 - Holy Saturday

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
(John 19: 38-40)

Loving Last Mitzvah

Some friends come out of duty to ask of need;

Good friends don’t wait to begin the giving.

Joseph and Nicodemus come out of the shadows

before the sundown doing one more deed of love.

Risking suspicion of being accomplices, they offer

to take Pilate’s trash out of sight and Jesus’

body out of slight by more scandal and abuse.

They warm the cold body with their hands

as they wipe the dirt, sweat and blood away

sacrificing their Sabbath purity giving honor

for the friend they lost, comfort to his family

and safety to hiding disciples. God alone knows

what kind of God friends we would be if it were

some danger to do a mitzvah before being asked?

Father Tom Wilson+ 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT7Z8yPT7t4 

Friday, April 14 - Good Friday

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19: 30)

The Gospel of John is not so much an account of the deeds of the life of Jesus as a meditation on his life and death. His words, “It is finished” (tetélestai) are meant to convey that he has fulfilled that for which he was born. Having come from God, as the Prologue says, he now consciously states that he has fulfilled his destiny and can therefore die. We know this because the Gospel clearly states that he realized that everything had been accomplished (John 19:28 – panta tetélestai), and therefore it was his decision to end. Paul implied the same when he said that he had “finished the race” (2 Timothy 4: 7 – tetéleka) and therefore was ready to depart from his life. John Stuart Mill told his stepdaughter as he died, “You know that I have done my work.”

But I am aware of the fact that there is an act of acceptance here: Jesus accepts his life as he has lived it, all of it, with its vicissitudes, rejections, acknowledgments, and humiliations. This was his life, and he is now ready to take possession of the whole of it, and to relinquish it. I sense a certain satisfaction in this. One cannot truly give what one does not possess. Oedipus, blind and despised by all, arriving at Colonnus, concludes, almost with joy, that “All is well!” And I ask myself, “Am I ready to look upon the whole of my life and rejoice in it? Am I ready to acknowledge it, to conclude that all is well? Am I ready to confess with Paul that I have played the game, and it’s now over”?

Many years ago I wrote how I wanted to be a goalkeeper, and what this meant:

That's what it meant to be a goalkeeper.  Wasn't the goal, everybody's goal, to merge, sooner or later, with the spirit of the universe?  And why not sooner?  Because it took some daring to let go the names and the distinctions, the forms that were imposed on ordinary existence.  It took some daring to delve into formlessness and to revel in it.  But that was the only way to be!  Existence was formless!  To exist was to be - formless!  That was the goal.  And the thing to do was to stick to this goal, to keep this merging as the goal; to be a keeper of the goal - the goalkeeper!  That's what he had always wanted to be, and he was finally realizing it now.  He was the goalkeeper!  The sound of the referee's whistle merged with the tumbling thoughts of his reverie.  The game was over.  They had won.  The stadium resounded with deafening screams and applause.  That, too, merged with the flow.

The game was over.  But this game was never over, this game of existing.  How could he explain it?  Yet that was the truth, only it had taken him so long to realize it.  And he could never explain it to anyone.  Some things you just couldn't explain; and this wasn't even a thing!

He was a player.  He was a goalkeeper.  That was all there was to it.  That's what he had always wanted to be.  And that's what he would always remain.

And have I been a goalkeeper? Can I grapple with the losses as well as the successes? And can I say now, “It is finished”?

Oh God of the universe, release me from the blindness that still prevents me from seeing that both life and death are grounded in you.


Ignacio Gotz 

Thursday, April 13 - Maundy Thursday

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (John 19: 28-29)

And so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said “I am thirsty.“

Jesus cried out, “I thirst,” and I hear Him beg for our tears, for our burdens, for our sadness. If we give Him our tears, trust Him with our pain, know that in His hands life will never be the same, our lives could be more joyful. Each day under His reign our tears quench our Lord’s thirst. When the soldiers tried to quench our Lord’s thirst, they gave him on a hyssop stalk a sponge soaked in a bitter wine, their bitterness. If our Lord wanted water He could have just asked the angels to give Him some rain, but I think He had something else in mind. The pain of crucifixion would have blotted out all feelings and thirst; if ever you have been in severe pain, all you can think about is “please let it stop.” So I think His words, “I thirst” were a directive for us. It was a message telling us He could be a sponge for all our tears. We can thirst for a lover’s kiss; we can hunger to see the estranged. To rise above His pain and send a message of love, that He was only thinking of us lowly mortals. It makes me think, only God could be so loving, so thoughtless of Himself. Hard to believe that we might be worthy of such love.

There is a road our Lord walked on 
Carrying His cross I see Him 
Seeing Him in my mind, a song
Of pain, agony, love so strong

As I watch the nailing
Jesus, my Lord there crucified 
I died a little myself and so 
For my Lord I cried

How many tears have I shed 
I offer them up to Him
Only God knows my pain
It helps to sing my hymn

“There is a green hill far away” 
And I pull down my walls
Do my tears quench His thirst 
When this is what I give, my all

Jane Williams 

Wednesday, April 12

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19: 25-27)

There are so many ways to think of this incredible and gentle passage from the Gospel of John. My mind went back to many years ago when our son-in-law Mark faced his own death. Trained as a marine, one of his most remarkable comments came as he lay in his chair two days before he died. "I am glad that I am the one going through this and not anyone else in the family. I have been trained and I am ready." With that statement he gave every one of us permission to let him go, although we were all devastated and anything but ready.

For Jesus to have the care, the presence of mind and the strength to take care of his mother as he was being tortured, mocked and near death, are hard to process. Facing the terror of his own present moment, his thoughts were beyond himself. Mary, facing her beloved Son's cruel death and a not-so-good future for herself as woman without power or money staying near her Son, John standing near and with Jesus in His struggle, they all faced the danger of the moment.

Our Mark had all the comforts of family, hospice, medication that could be afforded to him, and still he endured pain and death. Jesus had no earthly comforts. All that was done to him was designed to increase his pain, isolation and shame. Yet he took time to give his mother into his good friend's care. In doing that, I believe, he gave his followers into each other's care. That is all of us. We, too, are given into each other's care.

Life has a way of making sure each of us comes to that place of reckoning where we are not sure if we can take the next step. How precious are those who walk with us, and what a privilege it is, because of Jesus, to walk with our friends during difficult times - and extremely difficult times.

What we know is what the disciples did not yet know at that day of the Crucifixion - that Jesus rose again. The Holy Spirit has been sent to us so that we might know strength, comfort and wisdom. God, our God, has all power and loves us infinitely.


The Rev. Fran Peel 

Tuesday, April 11

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19: 10-11)

This is a multi-faceted passage, but for now I note only its first impact on me: the impression that Pilate’s anger is actually masking fear and bewilderment. He is thrown off guard because somehow, in the presence of this man Jesus, the “power” he has grown accustomed to suddenly feels lacking in substance – and so he resorts to threats. I want to smirk at his blustering, but Pilate merits compassion and grace as much as any of us. Though Jesus maintains a completely vulnerable position, he actually holds the real Power - and Pilate, even if he doesn’t understand it, senses this to be true.

What do we recognize as bestowing power? Is it wealth, an impressive job title, a fancy academic degree? Being in a position to direct other people? As with all else, Jesus turns our definition of power upside down. Perhaps true power arises from a genuine connection with God, as well as to the humans and other creatures we share life with, and manifests when we dare to be vulnerable, open, a servant, a channel. It is then that we recognize the true Source of our security, and it has nothing to do with the things of this world.

That’s easier to pay lip service to than to truly believe and live into. We want to feel financially secure, enjoy perfect health, and sport impressive resumes – all good stuff. Ironically, it can be a blessing to struggle through the absence of such things, finding through that process the real Source of Power, which alone is secure from loss and provides all we really need.

How do we personally define Power, and how does that shape our lives? Our answers likely change over time. This is one of the Big Questions we must engage throughout our time on earth.


Leckie Conners 

Monday, April 10

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18: 36-37)

The reflection is written in the form of a Haiku which is a Japanese poem. The first line contains five syllables, the second line seven syllables, and the third line five syllables.

Jesus is the truth

The truth He shares is divine

as is His kingdom 

Marcia Brooks

Palm Sunday, April 9

Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18: 7-11)

Jesus and his disciples had just left the last supper and headed to the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas and a large cohort of police awaited to arrest him. This is the interchange between Jesus and his arrestors. Perhaps the lesson from this is the peaceful manner in which Jesus accepted what was about to happen: he did not argue; he did not fight. The impulsive Peter was not so calm and in the face of this arrest, he drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus. Jesus immediately admonishes Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Jesus’ calm prevailed and he went quietly.

Often, we are faced with very troubling situations and more often than not our first reaction is a violent one, such as Peter’s, not a peaceful one. In our lifetimes we have seen the value of non-violence that Jesus exemplified in many of the most courageous moral stands for freedom and justice in our country. Hopefully, in these challenging times, during this penitential Lenten season, we will be guided by our Lord to follow His words and actions.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is giving that we receive; it is pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. AMEN

(Prayer attributed to St. Francis)

The Rev. David Feyrer 

Saturday, April 8

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:3-4)

THE RESURRECTED CHRIST

When we talk about resurrection in Church, our minds and thoughts are drawn to our Savior Jesus Christ as ‘he rose from the dead’; the Resurrection of Christ.

As I prepared for this exercise, I began to see resurrection as an ongoing occurrence; one that is not just a single event in time and in our faith. Certainly our belief and faith are rooted in the words of Christ, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

In no way is my reflection meant to take away from the power of Christ’s words and the deep meaning of those words. However, Jesus and the Bible have always told me a story, and the story always has a message and the message is timeless. My belief in God is strengthened when I can apply everyday experiences to what we learn and study in Church. I see resurrection in my life every day, sometimes it is personal, sometimes in my family, and sometimes I observe it in our Community. Jesus rose from the dead to be ‘with us’ and by being with us, by holding us in his arms, we are given the strength to serve Him and our fellow man. Look around in our own Church, Room at the Inn; we are led to this ministry because of God, because of the teachings of Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead to be with us, his resurrection assures us of our faith and we serve. I see outreach every day in our Community, scores of organizations, hundreds of people all coming together to serve the less fortunate. I believe it is through Christ’s resurrection, that we have our faith and our calling to help those in need. Personally, I pray every day and wait for a resurrection in my own family, bringing my Prodigal son home.

The resurrected Christ is in each one of us. I feel a Resurrection and a rebirth in times of great adversity and challenge. As I work for the people of this great County and we experience a disaster of some description, I am blessed by the two events I witness. First the unselfish out-pouring of love and support from our Community to those that have been affected, secondly those who are affected by disaster have a great strength. When faced with the challenge, it is they who give comfort to those of us who gather to comfort them. God is good! As one of God’s children walking on this earth, I experience a Resurrection every day, and you can too.


Warren Judge (1951-2016)
(This was written by Warren for the 2014 Lenten Meditation for the same date of April 8.) 

Friday, April 7

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 31-33)

LENTEN HAIKU 

Have courage act now

Live with intention my dears

You are not alone

Lord Jesus Christ, you have said wherever we go and regardless of the circumstances we face, we are not alone, you are with us. We thank you for the greatest of gifts, life everlasting. Dear Lord, grant us grace, confidence and open hearts as we live in this world.


Brooks Sutton 

Thursday, April 6

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16: 22-24)

The darkness of pain and grief from the loss of a loved one can paralyze you both physically and spiritually, making it difficult to ask for help or even pray. As time slowly passes, the grief will ebb like a tide but it always comes back as sure as the waves in the ocean. Sometimes those waves and memories bring calming and peace, and other times they can come crashing in, angry and overwhelm you.

It is at those times, I turn to a prayer Jim taught me, and as I whisper the words, I feel God’s and Jim’s calming presence wash over me.

Oh Lord.

Another day... I am not sure I am ready.

I am afraid, please be with me.

Your love gives me comfort.

Take my woes and hurts from me and leave your strength

so that I can help someone who hurts.

Erase my pains and worries.

Fill that void with joy and lead me to celebrate this life you’ve given me. 

Amen

Deb MacDonald 

Wednesday, April 5

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15: 12-13)

This scripture speaks about God’s unconditional love for all beings. And asks that we love one another as we love God.

We are all divine beings created by God, if we are unkind to others then we are unkind to God. To honor the divine in each living soul is to honor God, the creator of all beings.

Live each day with an open heart, to love all that God has given life; we are all part of the divine, see the light in all.

Prayer of devotion: Heavenly Father, I am called to walk in the light of Christ, your Son, and to trust His wisdom. 

With love and Light,
Diane Mauceri

Tuesday, April 4

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15: 7-9)

I honestly do not know how to interpret these words that Jesus is to have spoken. When I sit with them, I am reminded of the following words in Matthew which Jesus is also to have spoken.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:28-31, 33-34)

If I “seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness,” these words of Jesus indicate that God’s kingdom is already here. For me it is a spiritual place where I am learning to surrender and trust God’s love to take care of me. This new place for me becomes more alive and surprising with each day. I see the physical world with its amazing diversity with more appreciation now. I hear music inspired by God’s gifts to creative composers and performers. I feel the compassionate actions of other people. Now that I am learning to live in “His Kingdom,” as my faith increases so does my ability to follow His guidance.

I pray that by remaining in God’s love, I will be able to “bear much fruit” in whatever form it may take.


Fran MacEachren 

Monday, April 3

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 4-5)

What kind of fruit? Sweet, sour, or bitter - and what color and shape I wonder? The fruit of love, compassion, wisdom, and even fun surely must be bright and burley. Maybe not; perhaps unimportant. Are you a soft fig, a glowing apple or a cluster of grapes?

One gets carried away, over analyzing, creating nonsense where there is only beauty:  You are never alone when you abide in Me.

When Jesus insists, “apart from me you can do nothing,” He invites us to join in the chlorophyll fest of abiding with Him and all the other branches and leaves. What a green tangled mess!

Ever tied up grape vines? My dad did in Tacoma, Washington, on our old clothesline. Couldn’t keep up once they took off... and then the magic fruit appeared, grew and dangled in luscious clusters. And this in a cloudy climate where they said it couldn’t be done.

My dad knew things and though he’s more years gone than I want to count, I still think of him out there with his tangled vines, alternately laughing and cursing as he wound and tied.

Ain’t it the truth that growing and producing fruit is an arduous task, and that’s just the human part. The sun has to do its bit along with rain and under-earth water tables. A cosmic task, impossible to do alone. I believe this is why Jesus says, “remain in me and I in you,” if we want the doing of growth and fruit with our vine companions. Amen.


Sharon Keene 

Sunday, April 2 - Fifth Sunday in Lent

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the people, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13: 33-35)

Love one another – that’s easy. As long as you root for my team, vote for my candidate, or go to my church. But, what if you don’t cheer, vote or worship like I do?

How do I love my neighbor? Not as well as I’d like. But lately, I’ve tried to be more focused on the following:

Everyone is part of Creation – an equal part.

Everyone has a story to tell. Just because it isn’t my story, doesn’t mean is not meaningful. I need to listen to them with attention.

Most people are worse off than I am. I was born into and have a wonderful, supportive family. I have been relatively healthy and economically comfortable. I didn’t “deserve” that. I need to do my part to make their life better.

But, who is my neighbor? Only a few people are given to me by my God. Not that I don’t love all of Creation, but, my God has brought certain people into my life with a clear understanding that I am to be more intimately involved in their lives and they in mine. I can feel grief for the child in Africa stricken with malaria; but not to the same extent that I can grieve over one of my children, grandchildren or god-children. I can empathize with the people of New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy; but not with the intimacy that I can feel for those who have suffered on the Outer Banks. It is not that these “other” people are less important or less deserving; it is simply that they have not been chosen for me. It is important for me to listen to my God and appreciate this dynamic.


Gary Kimmel 

Saturday, April 1

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.  I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.“ (John 14: 27-29)

So many times Jesus gives us His peace. Do we ever receive it? What does it mean to have “peace” with us?

Jesus says not to be troubled - but then He says he is leaving. Then He says He is coming back. That does not sound like a source of peace! Is he leaving or not? Why is Jesus leaving? Why cannot He stay with us? Does He not love us? Wow - something is going on here.

Jesus said if we loved Him we should be glad He is leaving. As we know from other scripture, His leaving involves dying a criminal’s death. That is hard to accept. What loving Father would allow such a thing to happen to His son?

I do think Lent is the time of testing - of Jesus, of and for us. After His last meal, His trial and sentencing, and then an ignominious procession through Jerusalem to Golgotha - and then, the crowning blow - He dies.

What are we to believe? Why is this happening? Is that all there is? Why does this happen? God wants us to know in a very real, a very human, way that we are loved. God does love us - He shows us that, even as He allows His own Son to pay for our sins. After all, as Richard Rohr says, “God does not love us because we are good, but God loves because God is good.“

Lent helps us learn an answer. Lent leads us to the profound event:  Jesus is raised from the Dead.

Dear God, please allow us to know, to try to understand, the cornerstone of our faith:

Jesus is risen.  Alleluia!

That brings peace to us, through Faith.  Thanks Be To God


Charles A. Strauss 
Roman Catholic Church of the Incarnation 
Charlottesville, VA