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EbertfestWednesday, March 3, 2010
Matthew 20:16-19
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him. And the third day he will rise again."
Many things get in the way of American suffering. Self-pity, impatience, a false sense of entitlement: of course I can solve this problem. Of course there is a medical solution. Of course this is unfair, and I will be protected. And if not, then it's awful, catastrophic, unacceptable. So I don't bow for long, thereby losing one more chance to build relationship with my Father. Roger Ebert's story fills my heart today (see a fascinating article at the link below). In spite of his ongoing physical difficulties, this movie-loving Urbana native continues to find a hundred ways a day to be grateful, to give, to make someone happy. "Things" keep getting worse for him, and inside he becomes more and more whole. Richard Rohr calls this very Biblical standard the "path of descent." Most epic myths include a descent into the caverns of darkness and a desperate battle with evil. Evil often wins. Death fills up every breath and suffocates hope. And then, in time not defined by anyone but God ... the ashes stir, the phoenix rises, resurrection resumes its reign. What is this truth, this ... love? Nothing is more lasting or more real, and death has no say in its everlasting.
Jesus prayed on the cross, "Into thine hands I commit my spirit." Lord, let me pray that prayer as well. I hate all this silly religion, but you, God, I trust. I'm leaping and singing in the circle of your love ... be kind to me, God - I'm in deep, deep trouble again. I've cried my eyes out; I feel hollow inside. My life leaks away, groan by groan; my years fade out in sighs ... my friends are horrified and cross the street to avoid me. Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God. Hour by hour I place my days in your hand. --- Psalm 31, The Message |
Jesus walked his talk. He bowed in silent acceptance to ridicule, torture and death. He was patient as long as he needed to be. Somehow he knew that things would change, and he was sure of his Father's love. He never doubted it.