April 2011
During the final week of his life Jesus goes to the Temple just about every day. As Mark tells us, “immediately” after his triumphant procession into Jerusalem, Jesus goes to the temple (11:11) and looks around. We get the feeling that he is alone and that it is late in the day. Touching base with his God.
He comes back the next day, enters the Temple and “began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying”. Once again touching base with his God.
He leaves the Temple and the city with his disciples for the evening. Tuesday he returns again: ‘As he was walking in the Temple’ he was confronted by the scribes and elders: ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ Touching base with his God. He teaches and preaches. Touching base with his God.
Jesus gives us the parable of the wicked tenants, teaches about taxes, answers questions about resurrection, proclaims the Greatest Commandment. He touches base with his God.
He and his disciples watch as a widow offers all that she has, making her earthly poverty total and complete, “all that she had to live on.” Touching base with his God.
It is still Tuesday. This Tuesday was a very busy day. Throughout it Jesus continues to minister, continues to give of himself, continues to proclaim God’s abundant love for the world and the people in it. Constantly touching base’ with his God.
Showing by example that his only function in this world was the one that God gave him. Living fully into the promise of abundant life. Living in the moment that is and will always be “the reign of God.” Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
He comes as the one who sits at table with Simon the Leper, in that place where Simon lives. Not in a house like you and I have, but in the only ‘house’ that lepers were allowed to live in. The one separate from us, the one far from us, isolated and distant, unaccepted by us. He is anointed with oil by a woman who shares that time together with Jesus and Simon, there are others present, others who do not see what is right in front of them.
What a week, what a life! Living his life right up to its final moments. Living fully into God’s purpose, wholly and completely until his final moment of life, until his final breath. Touching base with his God.
Touching base by paying attention. Paying attention to what is real. Paying attention to God’s purpose for him and the world. Paying attention to God’s purpose for you. Living into the promise of God for you and for the world. May the Holy Spirit guide you and fill you, remind you and sustain you. This week, and every week, this day and every day, this breath and every breath. Welcome to Easter! Welcome to God’s world, filled with wonder and purpose! Touching base with our God. We proclaim we are Easter people! We proclaim we are Resurrection People!
May God’s peace fill you always and all ways.
Greg