Those Who Go Before

Today, I visited one of my favorite long-term care communities.  As we settled in and watched the rain come down, we talked of anointing one another with our love just like the falling rain.   We talked of Mary anointing Jesus' feet in John 12. Some of these dear people no longer speak, but several  were nodding their heads in agreement. Anita, who still struggles with the idea that God's love is for her, wept as she often does, and said, "That is amazing."  So we sang, "Amazing Grace." A  younger woman who had declined to join us at the table saying she preferred to stay where she was, joined in from the far corner with a surprisingly strong voice.  I asked her if she sang regularly.  "Oh, no," she replied. However, she continued to sing with us as we made our way through several hymns, and even some much beloved Christmas carols.  

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and the cheeriness of these services does confuse me.   However, today when I read the "Weekly Seeds" reflection that comes from the United Church of Christ, I felt a little more clarity. In her reflection,  Rev. Kate Matthews reminded me that there were those who made a way for Jesus. They walked with him, cooked for him, ate with him, listened to him, anointed him. They were not the ones who cried out for his crucifixion, but rather they were the ones who simply laid down what they had for his ride into Jerusalem: palm fronds, a few garments, and tears. Maybe that faithful love is what we are celebrating. As I said my good-byes to the community today and walked out the front door, I gave thanks for the tenderness that always greets me there.  The rain stopped for a few minutes, and I spotted two tattered, rain soaked palm fronds lying by the front door.  

  

None of us go alone. 

 

 

"This week, as we stumble toward Jerusalem, we can rely on God's grace to carry us every step of the way. On this Palm Sunday, though (with or without palms), in this one moment, we can make a way for Jesus, we can throw our cloaks on the ground and sing our songs of praise, and trust the unknown future to the God who works good in every circumstance and in every, holy week of our lives."     

 Rev. Kate Matthews  

 

   

  

Happy Birthday, Ms. B.

I walked into the activity room to find one of the beloved elders already there.  We greeted one another with hugs.  She then patted the chair next to her and said that her friend was celebrating her birthday. I knew whom she was talking about because the two of them have sat together in worship for several years now. I asked her if Ms. B. (definitely not what we call her) was with her daughter.  Alice replied, "I am not sure. I know they went out last night."  However, in just a few minutes Ms. B. did join us.  We celebrated with singing "Happy Birthday," and dear George gave her a small box of chocolates.  He keeps a stash of these gift boxes just for such moments.  Ms. B.'s 95th birthday is certainly such a time. 

 

Afterwards, I talked to Ms. B.  We have talked often of her struggles with depression.  She misses her husband. Her energy is lagging, and her vision is deteriorating.  Yet today, she took my hand as she always does, smiled and said, "I know I am blessed."  I pray this knowing will stay with her.  Yet, what is really wonderful is how much she is loved by the worshiping community whether she is feeling blessed, or she is feeling blue. Here, everyone is a friend, and ultimately, love is what endures.

 

And yes, Ms. B. is going out again tonight. 

   

Peace

As Jesus' co-workers, one thing we have to learn is to sow joy. We don't need bombs or weapons to bring peace to the world. We need that love and compassion that we ask for every day. We need a truly compassionate love - a compassion and love that bring joy and peace. The world is hungry for God...

Mother Teresa, One Heart Full of Love from Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton, edited by Jonathan Montaldo and Robert G. Toth    

  

The image of our working side by side with Jesus is a beautiful one.  We often hear of "following Jesus," but what if we move a little closer - not just following, but serving together as we tend to the task at hand?  What a blessing for the world even our simplest work could be. As this day gets underway, let us remember to look around and see who there, right beside us, encouraging us to sow peace. 

 

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them...  

Luke 24:15   

  

Vintage Light

I am grateful to have had several good conversations, over phone, email, and in person, about the passing of my friend, Kim.  One email conversation has been with someone I have never met. She is a Sister of the Holy Names and I have been in communication with her through my application for a spiritual direction intensive this summer.  She ended her last email with the comment, "She has put out the light because the dawn has come."   I think about all of us who love someone as carrying some of his or her light as we continue this journey.  Eventually, we, too, will put out the light, but hopefully not before we have shared this collective light with others, just as Kim did.  She celebrated the wise ones who came before her.  Let us continue the tradition. 

 Thank you all who have taken the time to talk, hug, read, write, and cry.   

        

I love this photograph.  I see the Holy Spirit coming down, and I find comfort for us all.        

    

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9         

  

Singing

Yes, you will go out with celebration, 

and you will be brought back in peace. 

Even the mountains and the hills 

will burst into song before you; 

all the trees of the field 

will clap their hands.   

  

Isaiah 55:12    

    

I never have truly resonated with the image of trees clapping their hands.  Yet, at times, I do hear singing.  May the day come when we listen to creation, rather than always trying to put it to our use.  Blessings on this day of rest.  If it is not your day of rest, do take one soon.  The trees want to sing to you.  

 

    

Mercy

Last week I was able to spend a few minutes at The Mercy Center in Burlingame, so of course I had to pay a visit to the bookstore.  There I found a prayer card with the words below. They are a merciful reminder that incarnation is ongoing, and we are part of it.  How we treat one another, ourselves, and creation is how we treat God. This is what I call being part of the living body of Christ today. You may have other ways of describing that which really is beyond words, and that is just fine.  Our goal is not to cling to definitions for they will always be imperfect. Our journey and purpose is love.  Blessed be.    

   

Mercy Awakened  

 

When Mercy gave her hands to serve, 

She found the hands of God. 

When Mercy spread her cloak to warm, 

She found the fire of God. 

When Mercy welcomed the poor, 

She found a homeless God. 

When Mercy offered food and drink, 

She found a hungry God. 

When Mercy entered prison cells, 

She found a lonely God. 

When Mercy offered healing hands, 

She found the touch of God. 

When Mercy heard her call to serve, 

She found a humble God. 

When Mercy breathed her quiet prayer, 

She knew the breath of God.      

   

Rosaleen O'Sullivan, RSM       

     

Love is the source and goal, faith is the slow process of getting there, and hope is the willingness to move forward without resolution and closure. 
Richard Rohr, OFM

Homeward Bound

Yesterday, I learned a dear friend finally was able to let go of her body.  She and many others, of course, but she was the one I knew and loved. Feeling not quite ready to make the drive home, I sat for awhile in a restaurant and I thought about such things.  Our comings and goings and the uncountable in betweens.  All around me people were eating and laughing, and I took comfort in that. Suddenly, a very young child walked up to me, waved, and said, "Hello!"  Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to return the greeting.  She then went on to the next table, smiling and greeting the diners.  Her mother followed close behind and we laughed. She rolled her eyes; evidently she frequently follows this tiny queen who yearns to greet a very large world.    

 

I thought of Kim once more, and her love of children.  I felt a gentle nudge that reminded me that life always continues.  I think I almost heard her voice and beautiful laugh that had been stilled for months.  

 

It was time to go home. 

     

  

I didn't tell you earlier because I was with you every day. But now, I am on my way to the One who sent me...In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will.  

John 16 (The Message).