Blessed and Broken

And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. Luke 24:30

How blessed it is

to break bread with friends

around the table 

or at the altar rail 

in the local coffee shop

or the pub

Indoors,in the warmth

or outdoors, on the street,

sharing bread just as blessed

with the homeless

and the hungry

or with late night revellers.

How blessed it is to break bread

- so much more than sharing food:

Breaking bread

signals careful regard

one for the other,

Breaking bread

involves generosity, 

acceptance,

compassion

grace

How blessed it is 

to break bread

when strangers become friends

And food becomes

a sacrament shared.

Making peace with the silence

Mark 15:40-41

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

Holy Week has been strangely jarring this year

I've been hyper conscious of the preoccupation of others

Those who have been busy preparing services

Those who have been taking part in worship

Those who have been getting ready to welcome family

or have been catching up with friends.

Preoccupation has been tangible

God, too, seems preoccupied

Perhaps unsurprisingly

Preoccupied by the plight of countless victims of violence

Preoccupied by war and rumours of war

Preoccupied by history repeating itself

as those who seek to bring peace

or to live in love with others

are scapegoated

Preoccupied by the sight of those who call out injustice

being subjected to persecution and death.

Today, I walked the beach

in a preoccupied but easy silence with God

and I was grateful for the companionship

in this week of preoccupation

and on this day of silent waiting.

The silence of death

John 19:38-42

The Burial of Jesus

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

The silence

Of sabbath

Of burial

Of death

The agony

Of betrayal

Of abandonment

Of separation

The severing

Of Trinity

The hiatus

Of Holy Saturday

A broken body

laid in a tomb

We Crucified Jesus

John 19:16-20

So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

The place where Jesus was crucified

was near the city

In the midst of life

where people went about their business

A spectacle

that many beheld

yet were powerless to prevent

Jesus was crucified

by the authorities

who act on behalf of the people

even when some of those people object

Still today

we become complicit

in acts of violence

perpetrated in our name

Our complicity is not negated

by our objection

or by our cries of outrage.

Even when we cry

Not in my name

we still end up

with blood on our hands.

We crucified Jesus

We dropped the biggest non nuclear bomb
on Afghanistan
We retaliated to chemical warfare in Syria

while turning our backs on migrants and refugees

We looked on while people died of hunger

in a world rich in resources

The place where Jesus was crucified 

was near the city

in the midst of life

And still today

violence goes on

in the midst of life

where people go about their business

We crucified Jesus.

The Servant

ON THE THURSDAY

John 13:1-7

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Nothing makes sense

when cast in the light

of the unfathomable love of Christ

The Creator of the Universe

stoops to wash our feet

And we, who find such selfless giving

hard to witness or bear

are simply asked

to accept 

the wonderful grace of God

served up

in service

for us.

What a gift!

The Betrayer

ON THE WEDNESDAY

John 13:21-32

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

The New Commandment

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

The betrayer

is always another

We rarely see in ourselves

the capacity for evil

that we ascribe to others

We prefer not to consider

how little it might take

for us to succumb

and sell our souls

for fleeting reward

Yet, when the night comes

and shadows fall

which of us

can stand firm in the light?

My soul is troubled

ON THE TUESDAY

John 12:20-36

Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

Jesus Speaks about His Death

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 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.”

The Unbelief of the People

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

The light of the world walked among us

And we did not recognise him

His soul was troubled

And we did not offer any comfort

God spoke

And our ears were deaf

And even when all was revealed

Even today, with the gift of hindsight

We choose not to see

Love laid bare

We refuse to hear

God's voice telling us

You are my beloved children of the light

Where is the love?

Psalms 36:5-9

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your judgments are like the great deep;

you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

Where is the Love 

Where is the Light

Where is the Faithfulness of God

whose wings provide refuge

whose provision sustains life?

When terror comes

and evil stalks the earth

where might justice be found?

We cry to you, O God

out of the depths of our fear

and brokenness.

In a world where children are poisoned

or used as pawns in power games

where presidents pontificate

and rulers ride roughshod over those 

unable to fight back

we cry out

for your justice

and your compassion

and your peace

that binds the broken hearted

and lifts those weary of suffering

Gives us eyes to see

and wisdom to perceive

how to bring about justice

how to bring peace

how to transform our world

by being transformed

by the light of your love

that shines in every darkness.

Which crowd?

Matthew 21:6-9

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

So which crowd will I be in

The one that shouts Hosanna

Or the one that cries Crucify?

Or will I, like so many others

Be caught up in the fervour of the day

and just go along with the others for safety's sake

Good rarely comes of rocking the boat

Those who go against the crowd 

are often crushed

But, every once in a while,

we have to stand alone

We cannot always hide among the crowd

So what will I stand for

Shall I have the courage of my convictions

Or will I succumb yet again

to the energy and safety of the crowd.

Hosanna?

Or Crucify?

The choice is mine.

The consequence His.

Let the light in

John 12:36-40

While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

The Unbelief of the People

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him.

This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

“Lord, who has believed our message,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said,

“He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and understand with their heart and turn—

and I would heal them.”

The miracle of belief

in those whose hearts are hardened

those who have succumbed

to the harshness of life

whose sympathies have given way

to cynical unbelief

erected as a protection

for tender hearts

tired of being broken.

The miracle of sight

for those who no longer see

the good and the kind and the noble

because too many times

their eyes have been wounded

with the pain of the world

The miracle of light

for those who prefer

the gentleness of darkness

in which is found retreat

from the pain of the day

and rest for souls wearied

by the gaudy colours

of passing pleasures

The miracle of healing

for all who believe

for all who look to the light

and find there balm for their souls

and hope, faith and love.

Entertaining Angels

Hebrews 13:1-2

Service Well-Pleasing to God

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Simply going about

the business of loving others

Seeking to care for another

serving their needs

holding them in high regard

Getting on with

the tasks of love

that need no fanfare

but are whispered

in every action

that brightens the day

for another

in every deed 

that eases another's burden.

Showing hospitality

by opening our hearts

and our homes

to friends and strangers

to angels in disguise

Blessed to be a blessing.

Still more to do...

Luke 13:31-35

The Lament over Jerusalem

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

No slacking for Jesus

Even with the end in sight

he took no prisoners

refused to divert his course

but ploughed on

delivering, healing

accomplishing

all that he came to do

before setting his face toward Jerusalem

the city that lay in wait

to dispatch him

as it dispatched others .

And, even though he had a notion

of the fate that awaited him there

Jesus was moved with compassion

over a city

and a people

who had lost their way.

Compassion that saw beyond his own dire straits

to go on caring for others.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord

Fragrance of love

John 12:1-3

Mary Anoints Jesus

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

As the fragrance of the costly oil

spread its tendrils around the room

assaulting the senses

and sensibilities

of those gathered

As they breathed in its perfume

and witnessed the unfiltered act

of sheer love

each was assaulted

by their own reaction

each drawn in to wonder

about the extravagance

about the spectacle

about the urge that drove Mary

to indulge in such a gesture.

And might their discomfort

have been more about 

their hardness of heart

their inability to let go

their envy of one

who bared her soul

than about Mary's 

unadulterated

expression of love?

Promised

Hebrews 11:39 - 12:2

Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Not complete

without one another

Each of us

has a part

and a place

in the race of life

Hobblers

Walkers

Joggers

Sprinters

Runners

The race waits for us

to find our pace

and take our space

in that great company

where all are accommodated

embraced

enfolded

welcomed

and carried along

by a tidal wave of love

to where Christ waits

to greet us 

and to make us whole.

Turn

Joel 2:12-13

Yet even now, says the Lord,

return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the Lord, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,

and relents from punishing.

Never too late

Always a way back

A way back to the God

of grace

and mercy

and love.

Even now

God waits

for our return

with arms open wide

in welcome.

Compassion

Matthew 20:29-34

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

Compassion

Noticing others

In tune with their distress

Listening to what they want

Filtering out the noise of the crowd

to hear the cries of those in need

and responding

with faith

and love

Pausing 

to make a difference

by reaching out

with a healing touch.

Jesus - 

Ministering to the crowd

Ministering to individuals

Changing lives

at every turn.

Being prepared

Hebrews 11:13-15

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return.

Looking back

causes us to stumble

to think of what might have been

Following God

along a path unknown

but made clear

leads toward the promise

And though we may not see

The Promised Land

we can know

the joy

the trial

the frustration

and the resilience

of journeying

with the One who goes before us

and yet is behind us

all the way.