10th August/September Trinity 2007,Bloom

10^th Trinity August September

Pierre Bouillon, wikicommons

Luke 7, 11-17

And it came to pass that on the next day Jesus went into a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. And as he drew near to the gate of the city, they became aware that a dead man was being carried out—the only born son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd of people from the city accompanied her.

And seeing her the Lord felt her suffering, and said to her, “Weep no more.”

And approaching, he touched the coffin, and pallbearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!”

The dead man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him to his mother. Astonishment and awe seized all who were standing there, and they began to praise God and to glorify what was here revealed, saying,

“A prophet powerful in spirit has been raised among us, and God has come down to us, his people.”

Word about him spread out into all of Judea and all of the neighboring regions.

10th August September Trinity

September 23, 2007

Luke 7, 11-17

 In recent weeks we have experienced in the gospels how easy it is to become distracted by outer busy-ness and how necessary it is to create quiet moments with which to listen to the Lord. We have heard how subtle and ever-changing the kingdom of the heavens is, and how worry about the future impedes our inner progress.

This is our last week before our encounter with Michael, whose name means ‘Who is like God?’ We will be crossing one of the thresholds of the year to meet him. And today’s reading is about crossing thresholds. A young man in the bloom of youth, dies. Christ approaches in empathy and calls him to rise and live. This is a picture for all of us who approach any threshold, whether in life, in our spiritual work, or at the end of our earthly life. As we pass through the portal, Christ approaches in empathy and bids us rise to resume the dance of life.

Christ has promised us: I will not leave you orphaned…. When one of His disciples asks Him, ‘But why do you show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Christ answers, ‘Because a loveless world is a sightless world. If you love me and treasure my words….the Father and I will be with you.’[1]

When we approach any threshold, we can be sure that our love for Christ will draw Him magnetically to accompany us. And we may hear His voice in the words of the poet:

I know the voice of depression

Still calls you.

I know those habits that can ruin your life

Still send their invitations.

But you are with the Friend now

And look so much stronger.

You can stay that way

And even bloom.[2]

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[1]  John 14: 18-24, in The Message, The New Testament in Contemporary Language, by Eugene Peterson

[2] Hafiz, “Cast All Your Votes for Dancing” in I Heard God Laughing, Renderings of Hafiz, by Daniel Ladinsky, p.15