Hebrews 12:1-3
"Holy Week" Wednesday - Years A, B, C
This is a week in which we might have a weak heart. How can we make it through?
Seemingly, from the Biblical record, trying to make it through the week as individuals is difficult if not impossible. There is evidence of bodies continuing to show up but as mere shells of themselves. Folks run away, stand afar, stand next to each other without recognizing their connections. At best they are mute; at worst they are deniers.
We do need a larger picture of solidarity to see us through this time when the scabs come to break our survival line. It takes more than a village to consider enduring hostility without moving toward revenge. Give thanks for every witness you can name and those unnamed but glimpsed on the dim horizon. You will need them all for the days ahead.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/march2005.html
Hebrews 12:1-3
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
John 13:21-32
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to the cloud of behaviors within. Today the warring of sore throat, bloated belly, and constricted head are all things I would leave behind. Along with them I would leave all the helpful family system techniques that are so helpful in conflictual settings (internal and external). I would also sit out any race someone is trying to sign me up for. I'll take any kindness offered, even from a hand that tells me I am dead to them. I don't care if I am supposed to be nice and conciliatory, whatever is hurting me - get rid of it, now!
Hurry help along the way. May it race to me even if I can't race toward it. Here in the middle of preEaster week the wrestling happens between Demonstration Sunday three days ago and Betrayal Thursday just around tomorrow's corner.
It all comes together into a perfect storm, inside and out. All that is left is perseverance and not even that looks doable. Soul's Dark Night arrives again. It has passed in the past but that is little comfort in the present.
"Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together."
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html
Many have had a difficult time, but, of course, our situation is worse than anyone else’s because we are such a special person. That others are stumbling should be encouraging to us, but, as noted, our trouble is worse.
It might be helpful to remember our own previous rocks and hard place, but even here, our current problem makes all the previous ones pale in comparison.
Nonetheless, we might as well do our best to put some perspective on our disastrous setting since nothing else has helped.
To do this honestly is hard work. Excuses to keep on being overcome abound. We dismiss one and there is an infinite number waiting to take its place. Perhaps all we can do is to practice meditating. As our distracting excuses come up we need to simply acknowledge them, let them know they will be dealt with a bit later, allow them to leave, and continue with a soft breath.
Usually we will find betrayal betrayed by its own limitations. It has been asking the wrong questions and come up with betrayal as a solution. Now we can ask a better question, set a larger context. Ahh, relief.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2014/04/hebrews-121-3-wednesday.html