Taunted

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry Jesus’ cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. Matthew 27:32-44 

We humans love to taunt those who have fallen down, those who have been caught in a foolish position, and the one s who made false claims. Some bullies in school love to put the weak and vulnerable in compromised positions and invite their class mates to laugh and tease. It is part of our worst nature as humans, the need to call names from a safe place. We revel in others' pain and it is not a thing of beauty at all, but we continue to enjoy their downfalls, their crucifixions, even when they are innocent of any crime.

We find Jesus surrounded with the worst of human nature. Pilate has washed his hands of the situation, side stepping his duty and letting mob rule take over. The soldiers and citizens bands together as cruel abusers, while leadership looked away. They taunted Jesus and beat him bloody and finally nailed him to a cross. Much like the lynching of too recent history in our country, one was suffering for the hate and loathing of a  whole nation while leadership looked the other way. Yet from the cross only love is visible. Even there God shed light on our worst nature and brought love where there was only destruction and abuse.

Today, I ask God to help me never look away and to intervene whenever necessary. May we all take our responsibility seriously. May we be those who move beyond our basest human nature demonstrating the transforming power of the love of God.

Washing Hands

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:24-31

Washing Hands

You expect it to be so simple
shedding this responsibility
called to this place and time
you simple was hands of him
pretending it will just go away.

The future of the world no less
is weighing in the balance now
the hope and dreams of many
caught up in a net you made
woven from threads of deceit.

We are all capable of turning
our backs on the needs about
our faces from the pain here
closing our doors to innocence
believing it will not affect us.

Blood is blood even washed
our hands will still burn
the memory of torture is ours
the scarring of isolation  and
negligence always on our hands.

So That Nothing May Be Lost

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going. John 6:1-21

Yesterday we took a little adventure exploring nearby parts of New Hampshire. One of our stops was at a farm market that we have passed but never have entered in to. The sign above was next to their front door. It stunned me and filled me with joy, although many of the folks entering the store, never even stopped to look. They needed coffee or vegetables too much to slow down, or they were there so often they didn't even notice it. Yet for me, it is a sign that should be on every church, at every gathering, in every place we meet as followers of our loving Creator. 

John's gospel tells the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand and walking on water. His telling of these tales are for people who did not walk with Jesus, nor did they know the disciples. They especially needed to hear that God's love and miracles were not just for those gathered on the grass that day, but for all people in all times. God's love is about making sure no one is left outside, no one is shunned or too broken. Nothing and no one is lost to the Creator. We are sought, we are loved, we are gathered up.

Today, I ask God to help me be fierce and committed about welcome and inclusion. May we all, who have known the love of being gathered up and welcomed, share that incredible welcome and love to those who are aching for inclusion, aching for miracles.

Out of Jealousy

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”  Matthew 27:11-23 

Jealousy is one of the most destructive, insidious human attribute. Good people have been destroyed in seconds by some cruel, well-placed people. They can whip a crowd into their anger, draw them into a place of such cruelty and destruction. As a teenage girl I felt the cruelty and abuse of other girls, only to find out later that they were jealous of me. We shared this as adults, as I sat with then old friends and was in awe of their revelation. I believed I was nothing to be jealous of, and was so awkward that I could never have imagined their jealousy. We all have moments when we realized the foolishness of jealousy - but it is often too late and too much damage has been done.

Today, we find ourselves seeing Jesus with Pilate and the crowd. Pilate recognizes that the religious authorities were jealous of his following, his power and capacity. They didn't want to give up any of their authority. They were able to bribe Judas and find ways to fuel the crowd. Jealous people in power can be the cruelest of all - often innocents get destroyed. So we find Jesus condemn because of jealousy and the weakness and fear of the ruler. God invites us to examine the places we might find jealousy in our hearts and realize how dangerous that jealousy might be.

Today I ask God to help me examine my heart and mind and rid myself of jealousy and envy. May we rid ourselves of barriers that can obstruct our love and service of others, so that the living God might be known in our world today.

Innocent Blood

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” Matthew 27:1-10 

We have all done and said things that later haunt us all our days. We try to do the best with what we know at the time, yet when the full truth is revealed, we can be made low by what we have done. I cannot imagine the sorrow and brokenness of Judas, but I can imagine he thought he was doing something right. I have made decisions for all the right and good reasons which have ended in disaster. In some of these circumstances, I was called a traitor and a betrayer. Those words are hard to live with for any of us, when we think we are helping a friend or community, only to be treated with abandonment, abuse and isolation.

Today in our Gospel we have a glimpse into the drama going on in Judas'  life. Matthew, nor any of the other writers of the Gospels, tell us why Judas did what he did. There might have been very good reasons that have been lost. He might have thought he was helping and was lied to by the religious leaders. He could have been told that very different outcome was going to happen to Jesus. Only hindsight is 20/20. Judas didn't live to give us the full story. What we can see and hear today, is that most of life is not binary, but a hazy gray mix and our decisions can come back to haunt us. We are invited today to be gentle in our judgements and understanding of others for we could make the same fatal mistakes when under pressure and feeling fearfully threatened.

Today, I ask God to help me be compassionate as I regard others. May we all try to understand how fragile we all can be, and how today's wisdom can become tomorrow's folly (or worse). May we all live this day with a sense of deep respect for even those who might be branded as unredeemable sinners.

Before the Rooster Crows

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75 

We are often too quick to condemn, considering we haven't lived in the circumstances and realities of others. Folks make what looks to us like a bad judgement and we call them weak. We humans, when faced with violence and loss of life rarely act from a conscious, rational or faithful brain. We react from our mammal brain that is hardwired to fight, freeze or take flight. When an individual is tested at a life-threatening level they will almost always say that they weren't thinking but just acted. 

Peter was reacting from fear so real and deep that he denied Jesus. His heart was broken when he realized what he did. The fear, so tactile, ran his body that day as it does for all of us humans at times. Our training can take over if we are special forces or military. Most often fear gets the upper hand and we are frightened animals. For me, it is important to imagine how terrifying and overwhelming that scene was. Peter, wanting to get close to his friend, draws too close and is about to be outed. Peter is forgiven, Peter, who denies him, becomes the head of the church and the one who Jesus, at his resurrection, tells the women to go and find. Our human responses to horrible situations are forgiven as well, every day. God knows how treacherous life can be for us frail human beings, no matter how strong and determined we might think ourselves to be.

Today, I ask God to help me forgive as I have been forgiven and to set aside judgment of others. May we all realize the frailty of our lives and gently respond to those hurting and broken around us.

Following

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Mark 1:14-20

I'm not one for group tours and guided visits, following someone around who is talking too much, repeating the same script day after day. I like wandering, finding my own way and sometimes getting lost. As a child, though, I loved following my Dad and Mom's footprints in the sand, stretching my too short legs to step into their footprints, falling over often as their strides were to long for me to follow. I do know, that by following them, I was always safe and loved, helped up when I fell over and searched for when I when I wandered off some where on my own. I suspect their behavior is still my expectation when following Jesus. I will stumble and be helped back up.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. James and hear the story of his calling to follow Jesus. James was minding his own business, repairing nets on his Dad's boat, a fisherman among generations of fishermen. That day his life changed forever. He became a follower, walking across dry, barren places that did not smell or feel like home. His life was on the water, then it was in the valleys and mountains. He and his brother were rambunctious, full of life and awkward on life, I imagine. Yet they were called and they followed. There was lots of stumbling and lots of mountain tops. We can be grateful that we can follow like James, trying to discern exactly what it means to follow in strange and unfamiliar places.

Today, I ask God to help me be a follower. May we all plant out feet in the line of saints and know, despite our stumbling and missteps, our independence and our ignorance - in all the truly human failings of every day - we are loved beyond measure.

With A Kiss

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:47-56 

With A Kiss

We can claim another
bless a sleeping child
open temptation's door
all with a simple kiss.

Intimacy draws near
friendship begets trust
honorable and kind
we are close enough to kiss.

The world turns on love
crumbles with betrayal
weeps for innocents' blood
aches to kiss broken whole.

We are capable of greatness
we can be gross villains
all in the same fragile day
a kiss and a wound together.

God's love is not limited
not only for the innocent
but betrayers and broken
love divine kisses and seals us.

Women at the Empty Tomb

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 15:47-16:7 

There are times when we have to go, when we have to participate even when we know it will be terribly hard. As priest and bishop, there have been many times when I would rather not have had to identify a burnt body or be in the midst of folks after a terrible accident. As a mother and friend, there are places I was called to which I felt reluctant to go. And yet I did go. Love makes us go and give us the strength to get through our worst days. Love compels us to be those who come to the hard, rough places so that there might be light and comfort. Love gives us strength when we have nothing else.

The women who went out to the tomb went because of love. They avoid the scene of horror, would rather be doing other things like the disciples. Love compelled them to prepare the spices and go to the tomb. They were doing the right thing and also the most loving thing. For their love they were the first to see the empty tomb, first to hear of the resurrection, and first to carry the story back. Love made them do a hard thing and love gave them back their hope and joy. God promises that when we are doing the work of love, we will find renewal and life, even in the darkest places, in the worst of times.

Today, I ask God to help me do the work of love. May we have courage to go into the dark places and hard times sot hat others might have their hope and faith renewed.

Like Sheep Without A Shepherd

 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Without A Shepherd

Snake oil has always been popular
purchasing every cure offered
never sitting down to breathe
scurrying around forever panicked.

Too busy to see our own folly
trying to be perfect, perfectly healthy
we are wondrously and lovingly made
yet we fail to seek the original source.

Sheep without a shepherd wander
they are panicked and spooked
jumpy and unwilling to rest
vulnerable to every hungry wolf.

We look down on sheep yet we follow
thinking we are making friends
with credit card shamans and wolves
who only want to devour and rob.

There is a pasture of quiet and plenty
right here where we already graze
a pasture of plenty and welcome
a home with enough room for all.

Take and Eat

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples. Matthew 26:26-35 

A traditional meal that will never be the same. We have all had them. One year a beloved parent was with us and then, the next year they were not. Nothing was the same. Yet, during that last meal, we behaved as we always do, laughing and arguing, praying possibly or singing, and probably eating and drinking too much. We remember it later with certain details that seem incredibly important and which we will hold on to forever. At the time, we were as nonchalant and frivolous as ever.

Jesus is with his disciples for their Seder meal. They all had participated, year after year, at home and abroad, as was their tradition, much the way American still celebrate Thanksgiving or July 4th when living in a foreign country. And at a family gathering, the usual suspects turn up and the usual antics and behaviors are seen. Later on, we called it the Last Supper, but the it was just another traditional religious meal that they knew by heart and took to nonchalantly. Later, we would hang on each word, for this was our first meal, the indication that we were all invited to God's table.

Today, I ask God to help me remember that the table, the meal is meant for all and that food and love are best shared. May we share our food and our love freely, knowing the Source of Life will surely renew and remake us as we do.