Meditations for Lent - #39
For many in the Western Christian Church today is Psalm Sunday – the beginning of Holy week when the story of Jesus being celebrated as He enters Jerusalem is told. We all know, of course, the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is a part of the story. Although many will reenact each segment of this journey and attempt to imagine what it was like for Jesus, His followers, His enemies and the thieves on either side of him, we know and are preparing for the celebration next Sunday. Even for those who celebrate the coming of a new season - spring where I am and fall in other parts of the planet – the outcome of the story is clear. Despite changes in weather pattern and storms which one cannot predict, the new season will arrive.
We all know, of course, that our life journey will follow a similar, predictable pattern. We have been conceived, born and will live a certain number of days. Not surprisingly most of us will act as if we have all the time in the world. We may occasionally read the obituaries and notice, as I did this morning, that in addition to infant deaths there were several deaths of people much younger than one. For a second one might think that perhaps one might want to be more intentional about how one lives one’s life today. One might, for a second, face the reality that this life journey, at best, is very brief. Although most will not face a death as physically and emotionally painful as being nailed to a cross, we will soon be dead. All those tasks which seemed so urgent and important are suddenly not so important. The opportunity to visit with a dear friend, embrace a child or a partner, feed the homeless stranger, drink in the new life, witness the glory of the changing of the colors or thousands of other daily gifts we take for granted because we have all the time in the world may not be possible.
All of us have often, I am sure, been reminded to live each day – each moment of each day – as if one knows that it is one’s last. We intend to do that. We really do. Yet soon life seems to take over and that opportunity has passed. We or someone with whom we have been close have ended this life journey. That stranger who was hungry has been found dead of starvation. That person who has not experienced human touch for many days or even years, is discovered to have died alone.
Jesus has a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Many stop to welcome him by spreading cloaks on the ground before him. Many others are much too busy. Soon it will be time for the crucifixion and the opportunity will have passed. We may console ourselves with the knowledge that He rose many years ago. Yet in the back of our mind we remember the question:
“ ‘Lord when did we see you hungry, or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you. He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
Written April 14,2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
For many in the Western Christian Church today is Psalm Sunday – the beginning of Holy week when the story of Jesus being celebrated as He enters Jerusalem is told. We all know, of course, the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is a part of the story. Although many will reenact each segment of this journey and attempt to imagine what it was like for Jesus, His followers, His enemies and the thieves on either side of him, we know and are preparing for the celebration next Sunday. Even for those who celebrate the coming of a new season - spring where I am and fall in other parts of the planet – the outcome of the story is clear. Despite changes in weather pattern and storms which one cannot predict, the new season will arrive.
We all know, of course, that our life journey will follow a similar, predictable pattern. We have been conceived, born and will live a certain number of days. Not surprisingly most of us will act as if we have all the time in the world. We may occasionally read the obituaries and notice, as I did this morning, that in addition to infant deaths there were several deaths of people much younger than one. For a second one might think that perhaps one might want to be more intentional about how one lives one’s life today. One might, for a second, face the reality that this life journey, at best, is very brief. Although most will not face a death as physically and emotionally painful as being nailed to a cross, we will soon be dead. All those tasks which seemed so urgent and important are suddenly not so important. The opportunity to visit with a dear friend, embrace a child or a partner, feed the homeless stranger, drink in the new life, witness the glory of the changing of the colors or thousands of other daily gifts we take for granted because we have all the time in the world may not be possible.
All of us have often, I am sure, been reminded to live each day – each moment of each day – as if one knows that it is one’s last. We intend to do that. We really do. Yet soon life seems to take over and that opportunity has passed. We or someone with whom we have been close have ended this life journey. That stranger who was hungry has been found dead of starvation. That person who has not experienced human touch for many days or even years, is discovered to have died alone.
Jesus has a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Many stop to welcome him by spreading cloaks on the ground before him. Many others are much too busy. Soon it will be time for the crucifixion and the opportunity will have passed. We may console ourselves with the knowledge that He rose many years ago. Yet in the back of our mind we remember the question:
“ ‘Lord when did we see you hungry, or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you. He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
Written April 14,2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
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