POINTS OF AGREEMENT

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles (Luke 24:10, NRSV).

POINTS OF AGREEMENT

Does it matter that the Gospels don’t agree in their accounts
        of what happened at the tomb on Easter morn?
The details are unimportant, for the fact that really counts
        is that all say it was empty Sunday morn.

One more salient detail on which the Gospels all agree
        in their telling of the Easter morning tale:
They concur it was the women who were first to come and see
        that the tomb was empty ---it was not a male!

RSA

MARY MAGDALENE

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." . . . But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her (John 20:1-2, 11-18, NRSV).

MARY MAGDALENE

What do we know about Mary,
        whom Luke says was called Magdalene?
Mary was one of the women
        whom Jesus had healed and made clean.
We’re also told it was Mary
        “from whom seven demons went out.”
Other than that she’s a woman
        whose life we know little about.
“Magdalene” surely refers to
        the town Magdala from which she
came.  It was located on the
        northwest shore of Lake Galilee.
Some commentators call Mary
        a woman of sinful repute.
But their case for that conclusion
        is easy enough to refute.

EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT

He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that  tells the truth  (John 19:35, NRSV).

“I SAW THESE THINGS”

John makes a parenthetical remark
        to show that he’s not writing in the dark.
It is a most impressive point to me
        that he was there that day on Calvary
and saw with his own eyes all that took place.
        It’s as a witness that he makes his case:
“I saw these things and I can say to you
        that everything I’ve testified is true!”

RSA

A HELPING HAND

A HELPING HAND

O Christ, had I one wish I fain would be                                        
        the one who bore your cross to Calvary,    
who walked beside you on the dusty way
        and shared the pain you bore for me that day.

If only it were my hand that you clasped,
        my shoulder which your aching fingers grasped,
then would I dare to face that painful scene,
        if it were I upon whom you could lean.

But, Jesus, you are walking even yet,
        your cross upon your back.  Need I regret,
as if all opportunity were gone?
        The road to Calvary goes on and on!

Beneath another's cross your face I see.
        My neighbor's burden is your cross for me.
Your silent sorrow bids me understand
        that you will always need a helping hand.

(from Now, That's a Miracle!)

A POEM FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

GETHSEMANE

I gaze across the ages to

a garden of the past,

where shadows of Gethsemane                                                        

their spectral spell now cast,

and through the window of my soul

into the darkness stare,

until the starry sky reveals

the ghostly figures there.

As fantasy takes form and shape

the scene becomes more clear.

It is the Master's face I see,

and those of others near.

I watch him kneeling, deep in prayer,

close by three sleeping friends.

How could they all forsake the one

on whom their life depends?

His sweat appears like drops of blood---

the Passion has begun!

"Remove this bitter cup," he prays;

"but let thy will be done."

I hear one call him "Master," then

betray him with a kiss.

Did ever friend betray a friend

in such a way as this?

Another who has called him "Lord,"

and boldly said "I can!"

Will soon deny him with a curse:

"I do not know the man!"

I look with shame upon the twelve;

they fail to meet the test.

I know that I for one would not

forsake him like the rest.

 

No traitor nor betrayer I,

nor one who'd flee his call.

Could I but speak, could they but hear,

I'd castigate them all!

Within the olive shadows yet

one face remains obscure.

I strain to catch a closer look.

It must be John, for sure.

But he whom Jesus loves the most

is running fast away!

Not even John (if it be John)

is brave enough to stay.

To verify my guess I hold

my dream-made lantern high,

and phantom flame on feeling form

reveals that it is I!

(from Now, That's a Miracle!)

HIS TRUE COLORS

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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred deanery and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) (John 12:1-6, NRSV).

HIS TRUE COLORS

The Passover was just six days away,
when Jesus came to Bethany to stay
with Lazarus, whom he’d raised from the dead.
There Martha and her sister Mary spread
a feast in Jesus’ honor.  Martha served,
while Mary took some perfume she’d conserved,
anointed Jesus’ feet, and with her hair
then wiped them.  The aroma filled the air.
When Judas saw her do that, he was bold
in asking why the perfume was not sold
for three hundred dinarii or more,
and then the money given to the poor.
He said this caring not for their relief,
but just because he was, John writes, a thief.
He kept the common purse and used to steal
from it, and so he said this to conceal
his true motives, as people often do.
They feign some noble purpose, so that you
won’t know their real intention, if and when
they raise objections or complain.  This then
explains what Judas had in mind, when he
said what he said that day in Bethany.

RSA

IN WHOSE HOUSE?

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 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 (John 12:1-3, NRSV).

IN WHOSE HOUSE?

Three Gospels tell of Mary’s act of grace.
        In whose house did the incident take place?
In Mark’s and Matthew’s Gospels it occurred
        in Simon’s house.  But there is not a word
in John about Simon the Pharisee.
        We do know that it was in Bethany;
perhaps it was the home of Lazarus.
        In either case, it need not trouble us,
for it is possible to reconcile
        the scene described in Simon’s domicile
with that which John relates in his account.
        Besides, the diff’rences do not amount
to anything worth worrying about.
        The bottom line is that there is no doubt
a feast was held in honor of the King,
        where Martha served and Mary did her thing,
evoking Jesus’ words about the poor,
        and heralding her act for evermore.

RSA

THE ROBBERS’ DEN

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers" (Luke 19:45-46, NRSV).

THE ROBBERS’ DEN

When he came into the city,
Jesus showed he had no pity
in the temple, as he utilized his clout,
and with righteous indignation
at their flagrant desecration,
he began to drive the money changers out.

It is written in the pages
of the prophets of the ages,
Jesus told them, and it’s binding now as then,
that God’s house shall be for prayer.
That’s the reason it was there,
but the temple they had made a robbers den.


In the gross preoccupations
of so many congregations
with fund-raising since I can’t remember when,
what would be the Lord’s reaction?
Would he show dissatisfaction
and declare, “You’ve made my church a robbers’ den!”?

RSA

WOULD THAT WE KNEW

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:41-42, NRSV).

WOULD THAT WE KNEW

As Jesus neared Jerusalem, he swept
the city with his tear-filled eyes and wept,
because they’d spurned the hope of their release.
Would that they knew the things that make for peace.

As Jesus views the cities of today,
which have so far departed from the Way,
I wonder if his tears will ever cease.
Would that we knew the things that make for peace!

PALM SUNDAY IMPERATIVE

Another poem reflecting on part of the lectionary Gospel passage for Palm Sunday, March 24.

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out" (Luke 19:39-40, NRSV).

PALM SUNDAY IMPERATIVE

Don’t tell me not to praise the Lord,
when all within me sings.
My heart in expectation waits                                                            
to hail the King of kings.

Don’t tell me not to praise the Lord,
when love evokes my cheers
and hope is born anew, when he
triumphantly appears.

Don’t tell me not to praise the Lord,
when my soul bursts to shout.
If I keep still, the very stones
beneath me will cry out.

Don’t tell me not to praise the Lord,
when my faith level soars.
My lips will yearn to bless his name
as long as life endures.

RSA

EVEN THE STONES

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out" (Luke 19:39-40, NRSV).

EVEN THE STONES

“Rebuke them!” yelled the Pharisees, who were among the crowd,
        resenting that his followers were praising God so loud.
For all the things that they had seen had prompted them to shout.
        “If these were silent,” Jesus said, “the stones would then cry out!”

RSA

WHERE WERE THEY WHEN HE NEEDED THEM?

As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" (Luke 19:37-38, NRSV)

WHERE WERE THEY WHEN HE NEEDED THEM?

When Jesus rode in triumph, oh how they did rejoice!
        But when he was on trial, did any raise their voice
or protest the injustice that nailed him to the cross?
        How soon Palm Sunday’s glory became Good Friday’s loss!

He rode in joyful triumph, but did they understand
        the nature of his kingship, and what he would demand
of his would-be disciples?  Some who now sang his praise
        would be among those wanting his death in six short days.

RSA

THAT’S OUR COLT HE’S RIDING!

        Here's another poetic reflection on part of the lectionary Gospel passage for Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013. There are more coming!

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They said, "The Lord needs it." 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:28-36, NRSV).

THAT’S OUR COLT HE’S RIDING!

The owners of a colt did not object
        when two disciples took the colt away.
In such a situation you’d expect
        those owners would have had much more to say.
When they were told the Lord had need of it,
        apparently they didn’t say a thing.
I wonder if they knew the one who’d sit
        upon their colt would soon be hailed as King.
And in the cheering multitude that day
        I wonder if there were on that account
two happy souls when Jesus passed their way,
        who proudly yelled, “He’s riding on our mount!”

RSA

EXTRAVAGANT LOVE

To the followers of and visitors to my blog I want to explain why I have not been posting articles in recent days. I've been somewhat incapacitated by some health complications following recent surgery. I hope to get back to work in the near future, but in the meantime I'll try to post something relevant or useful now and then. For starters, here is a poetic reflection on part of the lectionary Gospel passage for Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me" (John 12:7-8, NRSV).

            EXTRAVAGANT LOVE

When Mary poured perfume on Jesus                                                                  
        and then wiped his feet with her hair,
John’s Gospel tells us it was Judas
        who growled about what she did there.

In Matthew and Luke the disciples
        and others there also complained,
but John put the blame upon Judas
        for reasons he later explained.

Whoever it was that objected,
        it was a well-founded concern,
for poverty was a real problem.
        But Judas had something to learn.

“You leave her alone,” Jesus told him.
        “She purchased it to anoint me.
The poor you will always have with you,
        but you will not always have me.”

Those words are no justification
        for any neglect of the poor.
Indeed, since they always are with us,
        they should then be helped all the more.

What Jesus implied was that Mary’s
        extravagant act in a way
was symbolizing her anointing
        his body for burial day.

And so should we modern-day Christians
        learn something, when push comes to shove
among those who plan the church budget:
        Christ honors extravagant love!

RSA

A Church Hopper's Confession

        Growth-minded churches are always eager to welcome visitors, some of whom they hope may be potential new members of the congregation. They may be newcomers to the community who are shopping for a church to join.
        Or they may perpetual church shoppers, hopping from one church to another without any intention of joining any church. Every pastor knows the type, and they know that the kingdom of heaven will not be built on the likes of these.
        Our anonymous church hopper is speaking here for many others with a similar attitude toward the church, all of whom much prefer the role of visitor incognito.

                          VISITOR INCOGNITO

                      A visitor incognito,

                            if I a phrase may coin,

                      I'm always shopping for a church

                            I don't intend to join.

                      So every Sunday morning I'm

                            a master of disguise.

                      There's not a ruse that I don't use

                            to dodge those gals and guys.

                      I mean the ones who try to spot

                            the visitors in church.

                      I know most every trick there is

                            to leave them in the lurch.

                      They never see me staring with

                             an unfamiliar look;

                      I case the joint before I sit,

                            and don't go near the "book."  

                      To make sure I'm not recognized

                           I wear a false moustache,

                      and when the offering plate is passed

                           I never put in cash,

                      but slip a dollar bill into

                           a pew rack envelope.

                      The ushers think that I'm a member

                           of the church ---I hope!

                      Of course, I wouldn't dare to sign

                          the church attendance pad,

                      despite the curling eyebrows that

                          suggest that I'm a cad.

                      And when the blessing has been said,

                          and they all stop for news,

                      I exit out a window, or

                          I slide beneath the pews.

                      But somehow all my efforts seem

                          to be of no avail.

                      The greeters still can spot me ---but

                          they've never made a sale!

                       RSA