Thursday, March 28, 2013

Part 1: THE THREE DAYS –day dream segue




MAUNDY THURSDAY.   -Sitting in front of the altar

It’s safe enough here, now, for the moment.  They’ve gone away: the authorities taking Jesus, the crowd dispersing, some of the disciples following wrapped in all the people.  I have nowhere I want to go; imagine going home to an empty room; sleeping after all that has happened would be impossible. 
So here I slumber in the quiet of the garden, under the gently rustling leaves of the olive trees.  I stay here because I feel closer to him ...you know Jesus.  This is where we often came to get out of the heat of the sun, for a little privacy from the pushy crowds.  We would sit and eat lunch, laugh together, tease each other; and Jesus would teach, just us...our time to be disciples.  How many times did we recline in this spot to bask in wisdom, sage advice, to be challenged; to feel refreshed by the trees and the cheeps of the song birds?  
Yes, it was here, that we did a lot of praying, well often praying that led to peaceful sleeping for some of us.
*sigh*
Jesus was in top form tonight speaking in urgent passion around the Passover table, not that we understood, as per usual.  It’s like his words were coming from a different place.  He was present but distant. 
That’s why I have stayed here  -to find a spot to hide and think ... specifically to think about the times in which I live, to contemplate Jesus roll, my roll...and search for God.

Jesus sure went on and on about the kingdom of God.
I can picture the kingdom: a place where the land is fertile, the government seeks and acts justly, kindness is the norm, people walk humbly with God.  There is manna and mercy for all.          *sigh*
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
 I dreamed that God would be forgiving
 When I was young and unafraid
 When dreams were made and used and wasted
 There was no ransom to be paid
 No song unsung no wine untasted...   Herbert Kretzmer - I DREAMED A DREAM

There is a betrayer amongst us.  I get that.  In fact there may be more than one with such thoughts, but only to push Jesus to get a move on, to stand up and be the Messiah.  Enough squabbles with the religious leaders and scribes; been there done that, and it’s getting old...so a little push to spur Jesus’ kingdom talk into action...now, on to overthrowing the Romans.  Sure the healings have been nice, but in the long run this doesn’t change much -for individuals, sure-  but not the healing of the nation.  It’s time to fight the most domineering system we suffer under.  Don’t you think so?

Jesus talked of suffering and not eating until the kingdom.  It sounds like a time of war.  I suppose I’ll have to get a sword:  And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one “, exactly.  That’s what Jesus said. 
Yes a sword with a leather wrapped hilt, used enough that the leather has a rusty patena, a double edged one if it can be found, with contoured sides...yes and a sheath –branded with my cousins sheep branding symbol –family symbol....sorry...where was I...
We’ve been at this finding a Messiah in earnest for the past 200 years, with leaders and revolts coming and going.  The dream is that one of these revolts will bring the fulfilment of every promise given to our fore-bearers: promises found in the scrolls of Isaiah and Jeremiah . 
But something is just not right.  He washed my feet.  Jesus spoke of the new covenant in the same breath as washing our feet and being a servant; talking of loving our neighbours.  What is wrong with the covenant we are living with now?  It is the rules to loving our neighbour.  If the Romans left us alone we would be able to live it fully, ...unless...it couldn’t be... “the Roman” is my neighbour?  ...*shake head* ... enough with the foggy daydream thinking!

It is time for a new exodus, I will buy into that. That is why I left my fish nets and boat in the first place. Passover reminds me of God and the discovery of God on the journey to the promised land.   Through the years, exodus and exile have happened again and again as people and powers come and go through the land.  This time Passover is different...the land we are in is where we are to be, it is part of us, so who or what makes an exit?
*mulling over the words*  .....Before I suffer.... Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’
Poured out for you is the new covenant
‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
*furrowed brow*   .....Does the fulfilment of the covenant mean the kingdom?  For real...the covenant will come to end.  For centuries we have waited and hoped; the stories we learned at synagogue have become that, story, only story.  Who in this world of Greek philosophy and rabbinic theology would accept that the end is possible?

Jesus prayed for the bull-headed Peter too; that his faith would not fail –boisterous as he is it is hard to believe that that is even possible.  And Peter, I overheard, will come to strengthen us...come back from what?  For what will I need Peter’s all too belligerent rants or cheerleading speeches?  What will he see tonight?  He is always on the front line, following behind Jesus tonight in the crowd.  I can only imagine the exaggerated story he’ll tell.  Last time he talked on and on about seeing Moses and Elijah, with a glowing Jesus on the mountain.  Too mystical for me; I’m into simple chic –meaning practical, neat, step by step follow the directions and pouf - everything is AOK. So far life has not granted me this dream.

Yes Jesus, I heard you get up and pray that I may not come into the time of trial. Not tonight it is too late for that, I will put my head down only for a moment to consider all that I have seen and heard, to rest my head, to pray...   But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
 As they tear your hopes apart
            As they turn your dreams to shame Herbert Kretzmer- I DREAMED A DREAM
Dare I hope, dare I dream, that tomorrow will come a new day, a new covenant, a hope that Jesus will have rocked the foundations of the very court, that walls would come tumbling down, that Romans will be running for their lives, that God would have returned, a proper king to be chosen for the throne, that there will be hosannas, and blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord?  Is it too much to hope for? That the world will be different, healed, new, a jubilee year; the prisoners set free, the blind seeing, lame walking, the widow provided for.  Is it too much to dream of?  Tonight, Jesus changing the world as we know it...
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
 I dreamed that God would be forgiving.....  Herbert Kretzmer - I DREAMED A DREAM

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