Meditations for Lent. - #38
The recommended Gospel reading for today. Is John 11:45-56. This section of John deals with the increasing fear if left alone, Jesus would attract more followers putting the temple and the nation in danger of being taken by the Romans. At least this is the stated fear. The history of the Jewish people had been such that this fear seemed reasonable to many. The began to form a plot to take the life of Jesus.
It is not surprising to many of us that, even without a traumatic history many of us can be fearful of change on a personal, community or national level. Sometimes we convince ourselves that it is better to stay in a negative situation that we know than it is to risk a new situation. Often, individuals and families rebuild in an area which is prone to severe flooring, destructive forest fires or other disasters. We like the illusion of security even though we know change is the only constant. Many today are fearful of changes in religious institutions, in the role of women, in the inclusions of different cultures and religion. There has, for example, been a sharp increase in the number of white supremacist groups. Following the establishment of the Jewish State after the horrors of World War Ill, the nation of Israel has become violently protective and willing to claim and hold on to land which needs, at the very least, to be shared with Palestine. Palestinians have used violence against the Jewish while peaceful groups on both sides have continue to break bread together and to get to know each other as people first and members of different cultures and religions as secondary.
A tough winter is nearly over for much of the United States. Despite a winter storm this week spring will continue to bring new life. In order for the new life to arrive the old had to die or in some case enter a winter state such as when certain trees lose their leaves in the fall or some plants enter an apparent dormant state. This winter many of my rose bushes will not be making a spring appearance. They will completely return to the earth helping to form the soil for new growth. Many changes open up new opportunity. A fire this winter caused severe damage to a local plant. Many in the community made generous donations. There was money left over after the needed repairs were made. I just read that this money is being set aside to help employees of the plant. The plant and the local Catholic Charites are teaming up to fund a program to provide help if employees face a financial emergency. The owners of this plant offer many second and third chances to folks recovery from addiction or other life struggles.
Sometimes we run to our bedroom, get under the comforter, cover our head and hide when changes occur. Sometimes, as with Jesus, we demonize the one who brings change. Yet, new life will emerge even after the crucifixion. This is the promise and the hope to which we need to hold fast. Even tragic change brings new opportunity to learn and to create something good such as happened following the fire and subsequent repairs at the local plant. We continue to have a new opportunity to learn from the cruel, tragic history of the Holocaust. It did not happen in a vacuum. Many played a role in creating the conditions which allow for such horrendous actions. Each of us has an opportunity to speak out against injustice at all levels. Martin Neimoeller following his release from Dachau said: In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communist and I didn’t speak up because I was not a communist. Then they came for the Jew and I didn’t speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I was not a trade unionist. The they came for the Catholics, but I didn’t speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for the me, and, by that time, there was no one left of speak up for me.” His point needs to be heeded. The fact that they first came for the mentally retarded and later came for many different groups including the mentally ill, the sick, the old, those convicted of a crime, the homosexual and a host others only reinforces his point. Health care professionals, attorneys, doctors, clerics, and many others kept silent about injustice to those who often did not have a voice.
We may get fearful of the message of change. We may get so fearful that we punish or even kill the messenger. Each time we allow fear to determine our actions we become co-conspirators in the creation of the conditions which result in yet another crucifixion. This life journey is very brief. All we own is our integrity. We will all die but we can choose how we will live today. We are reminded by Bigger Thomas in Richard Wright’s Native Son, “You can’t do nonthin but kill me and that ain’t nonthin.”
Written April 13, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
The recommended Gospel reading for today. Is John 11:45-56. This section of John deals with the increasing fear if left alone, Jesus would attract more followers putting the temple and the nation in danger of being taken by the Romans. At least this is the stated fear. The history of the Jewish people had been such that this fear seemed reasonable to many. The began to form a plot to take the life of Jesus.
It is not surprising to many of us that, even without a traumatic history many of us can be fearful of change on a personal, community or national level. Sometimes we convince ourselves that it is better to stay in a negative situation that we know than it is to risk a new situation. Often, individuals and families rebuild in an area which is prone to severe flooring, destructive forest fires or other disasters. We like the illusion of security even though we know change is the only constant. Many today are fearful of changes in religious institutions, in the role of women, in the inclusions of different cultures and religion. There has, for example, been a sharp increase in the number of white supremacist groups. Following the establishment of the Jewish State after the horrors of World War Ill, the nation of Israel has become violently protective and willing to claim and hold on to land which needs, at the very least, to be shared with Palestine. Palestinians have used violence against the Jewish while peaceful groups on both sides have continue to break bread together and to get to know each other as people first and members of different cultures and religions as secondary.
A tough winter is nearly over for much of the United States. Despite a winter storm this week spring will continue to bring new life. In order for the new life to arrive the old had to die or in some case enter a winter state such as when certain trees lose their leaves in the fall or some plants enter an apparent dormant state. This winter many of my rose bushes will not be making a spring appearance. They will completely return to the earth helping to form the soil for new growth. Many changes open up new opportunity. A fire this winter caused severe damage to a local plant. Many in the community made generous donations. There was money left over after the needed repairs were made. I just read that this money is being set aside to help employees of the plant. The plant and the local Catholic Charites are teaming up to fund a program to provide help if employees face a financial emergency. The owners of this plant offer many second and third chances to folks recovery from addiction or other life struggles.
Sometimes we run to our bedroom, get under the comforter, cover our head and hide when changes occur. Sometimes, as with Jesus, we demonize the one who brings change. Yet, new life will emerge even after the crucifixion. This is the promise and the hope to which we need to hold fast. Even tragic change brings new opportunity to learn and to create something good such as happened following the fire and subsequent repairs at the local plant. We continue to have a new opportunity to learn from the cruel, tragic history of the Holocaust. It did not happen in a vacuum. Many played a role in creating the conditions which allow for such horrendous actions. Each of us has an opportunity to speak out against injustice at all levels. Martin Neimoeller following his release from Dachau said: In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communist and I didn’t speak up because I was not a communist. Then they came for the Jew and I didn’t speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I was not a trade unionist. The they came for the Catholics, but I didn’t speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for the me, and, by that time, there was no one left of speak up for me.” His point needs to be heeded. The fact that they first came for the mentally retarded and later came for many different groups including the mentally ill, the sick, the old, those convicted of a crime, the homosexual and a host others only reinforces his point. Health care professionals, attorneys, doctors, clerics, and many others kept silent about injustice to those who often did not have a voice.
We may get fearful of the message of change. We may get so fearful that we punish or even kill the messenger. Each time we allow fear to determine our actions we become co-conspirators in the creation of the conditions which result in yet another crucifixion. This life journey is very brief. All we own is our integrity. We will all die but we can choose how we will live today. We are reminded by Bigger Thomas in Richard Wright’s Native Son, “You can’t do nonthin but kill me and that ain’t nonthin.”
Written April 13, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
RSS Feed