People of the Passion #19

There are a number of minor characters who appear in the Passion narratives in all four gospels. They seldom get much attention. So this Lent I want to try to see these invisible people of the Passion and imagine events through their eyes.

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day. (Matthew 28:11-15)

What could we say? The whole thing is still beyond believing. I could not begin to understand what took place in the depths of the darkest hours of that early Sunday morning.

A Royal Wedding Prayer

The Church of England does not get a lot of good press these days. But it seems that the tired old Anglican Church may have a small window of opportunity for celebration in the wedding ceremony of the new Duchess and Duke of Cambridge.

“Of Gods and Men” – The Gospel of Love

One of the most tender moments in Xavier Beauvois’ film “Of Gods and Men,” comes near the beginning in a conversation between 82 year old Brother Luc and a young woman from the local village near the monastery.

People of the Passion #18

There are a number of minor characters who appear in the Passion narratives in all four gospels. They seldom get much attention. So this Lent I want to try to see these invisible people of the Passion and imagine events through their eyes.

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8)

I am the less famous Salome in the story.

The other Salome appeared near the beginning of the stories about Jesus.

Parameters #2 (see April 16)

David Brooks created quite a stir on Good Friday with his opinion piece in the New York Times, “Creed or Chaos.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/22/opinion/22brooks.html

The article is based upon his experience seeing the musical curiously titled “The Book of Mormon”.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday inaspaciousplace.wordpress.com! You are one year old! 330 Posts. 48,389 “Views all-time,” 1,597 “Comments.”

Actually, I am a little late with my birthday greetings.

Easter Sunday Sermon April 24, 2011

Looking out at the world it sometimes seems that the litany of turmoil and pain just goes on and on: Haiti, New Zealand, Japan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, Ivory Coast, Israel, Palestine – earthquakes, Tsunamis, political turmoil, civil war, violence, anger, hatred …

People of the Passion #17

There are a number of minor characters who appear in the Passion narratives in all four gospels. They seldom get much attention. So this Lent I want to try to see these invisible people of the Passion and imagine events through their eyes.

Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:50-53)

I know it sounds wild and improbable. But I am not the only one who had the experience.

Easter Sunday – The Day After Despair

She was desperate when we first met. She was a young mother with two small children. Her husband had gone out behind the house, placed the barrel of a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. He died instantly.

To read the rest of this post, please visit the Times Colonist “Spiritually Speaking” blog at:
http://communities.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/blogs/spirituallyspeaking/default.aspx

People of the Passion #16

There are a number of minor characters who appear in the Passion narratives in all four gospels. They seldom get much attention. So this Lent I want to try to see these invisible people of the Passion and imagine events through their eyes.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. (Matthew 27:62-66)

We Pharisees have a bad reputation. People say we are legalists who know nothing about love. They criticize us for adhering to the laws and traditions of our people.