Month: April 2022

From today’s Lectionary (Tuesday of Holy Week)… “Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”” Jesus is going to die. He describes himself as the ‘light’. He helps people see things they didn’t see before. They can know God better.

Needing the light is a more general thing, too. Democracy depends on people knowing what is going on, so they can make informed choices. So when knowledge becomes so important, it may not be surprising that some leaders choose to keep their people (and possibly many others worldwide) in darkness.

Let’s all long for the light, love the light, seek the truth, however inconvenient it may turn out to be.

In today’s lectionary (Monday of Holy Week), we remember the nature of Jesus, reflecting the prophecy of Isaiah;- “a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”

This goes against the ruthless, brutal culture of 21st century capitalism, whose message is more like “crush the losers”. I believe that Christianity is a faith for losers; Alleluia!

Went to an excellent Palm Sunday service today.

Making a racket

In tomorrow’s lectionary, the Palm Sunday story, we read this… ‘Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”‘ The disciples of Jesus (lots of them, not just the Twelve), were making a noise and celebrating Jesus’ entry as ‘king’. Unsurprisingly, there were some Pharisees who didn’t want the boat rocked. The crowd seemed dangerous. But the devotion to Jesus soon evaporated, and the crowds turned against Jesus. I’d sooner people (I too) followed Jesus with just and faithful lives, rather than making a lot of noise that turns out to be empty.

Put a peg on my nose and ordered some paid for LFTs today. This is a novel approach from the government nudge department – making you pay to do the right thing.

And from Sunday’s Lectionary, the Psalm, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”

Because of my beliefs, I’d relate that specifically to Jesus. But I think I’d also say that this could be one of God’s characteristic ways of acting, defying our expectations and maybe upsetting our power structures.

I can but hope.

Actually, the geese we heard through the window were probably the local Canada geese – but I’m not aware of anything in Bessie Smith’s oeuvre that corresponds to ‘Canada’. So for the sake of the sound of it, it’d be nice to think that pink-footed geese were passing. We’ve been told they do sometimes, at certain times of year.

J has now taken over from me as The Patient, and it’s nice to have that window cracked open, even in poor weather, and hear what’s going on outside. Actually, the main reason for the open window is to change the air a bit, especially at night when I sometimes wake J up with a residual cough.

And Jesus ‘draws nigh’ to Jerusalem, the big city, where matters of great import – and barbarity – will take place.

In next Sunday’s Lectionary, Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph and on a donkey, matching the Old Testament prophecy.

The people like it at the time, a messiah, fulfilling the prophecy, a great leader of a glorious people. But many will turn against him very soon, not least because he won’t flatter them – he won’t peddle the ‘great nation’ myth. He will speak the truth to power.

We humans love to think we are a great nation. I wait to see if that myth will persist in Russia after the soldiers have come home.

Little nugget from today’s lectionary, “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 126:5).

There’s plenty of tears in the world, and this sounds like an impossible prayer. But I’m going to pray it anyway.