One of the greatest gifts to have been revealed to me in my spiritual development is the immense value of community. I am evolving from a faith that placed more emphasis on individual response to God as opposed to the concept that we walk this path together, bound by the grace of God. In walking this journey with my dear friend Sharalyn I feel honored that she has asked me to write something for this entry. She’ll be back as soon as she can.
It seems that every year I need to be reminded again of the mounting conflict that defined the week leading up to that first Easter morning. Following the two processions into Jerusalem and the closing down of business as usual at the temple, Tuesday feels even more in conflict. As one reads Mark there is almost a sense of increasing energy yearning to be settled. I think of the low rumble that precedes a major earthquake moving into a rearrangement of the Earth as it is known until all is once more at peace. Tuesday is far from peaceful, however. Here we are faced with two groups in positions of authority that have traditionally scorned each other joining efforts to try to bring Jesus into a position in which he can be arrested and put to death. Jesus and his message of liberation from the dominance of oppression, suppression, repression and depression encounters a challenge of his very authority to give hope to a captive world. It is almost as if he is being asked, “Who do you think you are to challenge the system of greed and corruption that has so well served us all these years?” The energy here is palpable and it becomes unmistakable that something huge is just about to happen. It’s coming! It’s just around the corner and it’s about to burst wide open!
Recent events have left me with a similar sense that something huge is about to happen. Does the conflict of that first Holy Week repeat itself again in your life? Do you also have the sense that major change is about to occur? Where do you see Jesus in that potential for change?
It seems that every year I need to be reminded again of the mounting conflict that defined the week leading up to that first Easter morning. Following the two processions into Jerusalem and the closing down of business as usual at the temple, Tuesday feels even more in conflict. As one reads Mark there is almost a sense of increasing energy yearning to be settled. I think of the low rumble that precedes a major earthquake moving into a rearrangement of the Earth as it is known until all is once more at peace. Tuesday is far from peaceful, however. Here we are faced with two groups in positions of authority that have traditionally scorned each other joining efforts to try to bring Jesus into a position in which he can be arrested and put to death. Jesus and his message of liberation from the dominance of oppression, suppression, repression and depression encounters a challenge of his very authority to give hope to a captive world. It is almost as if he is being asked, “Who do you think you are to challenge the system of greed and corruption that has so well served us all these years?” The energy here is palpable and it becomes unmistakable that something huge is just about to happen. It’s coming! It’s just around the corner and it’s about to burst wide open!
Recent events have left me with a similar sense that something huge is about to happen. Does the conflict of that first Holy Week repeat itself again in your life? Do you also have the sense that major change is about to occur? Where do you see Jesus in that potential for change?
Michael, I love the analogy of the earthquake and it seems to resonate with my life at this time. My father's death is of course life changing, but somehow it feels like just the rumblings at the beginning. I want to really focus on the question of where Jesus is in relation to my Holy Week journey and that image. Being Palm Sunday, I am drawn to the courage Jesus modeled as he processed into Jerusalem. Can we (I) have that kind of courage in the face of change and the unknown? Thanks for writing Michael!
ReplyDeleteI was motivated to write what I did by the huge change that is coming just around the bend on my journey. In preparing for what lies ahead I have had to identify and explore many of the fears that would have served as challenges on my way to being where I need to be. Much of the work has centered around evolving into a prayer cycle in which I can genuinely ask for nothing beyond a deeper sense of God's presence along the way. In the end, all else pales in importance, doesn't it? I also strive toward finding that amazing courage demonstrated by Jesus throughout Holy Week. I wonder if we adequately explore that mystic courage to first face those who want you dead and then to face the cross head on. I may never get to that level of courage, but I'm working on it! Instead, I look for God's presence in what I'm doing and in what is happening around me. My prayer for you, dear sister, is that you will also feel God's healing presence as you move on the journey from grief to grace. It's a long journey. Jesus did it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteEvery moment that has not yet occured is unknowable, we always travel in the unknown. Gandhi said our only prayer to God was to be able to unflinchingly meet the unknown. To me asking the self if we/I have that kind of courage, is to express a willingness to be "tried"; and begins the prayer for courage for the journey in the unknown.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharalyn for starting this blog...and thank you Michael for stepping in to continue it. Gloria
ReplyDeleteGloria, I love the Gandhi quote. I think I will keep it close at hand this week. So glad to hear from you!, Sharalyn
ReplyDeleteIs it the mounting conflict and tension what drive the formation of community?
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