Pleasant Jesus

Rarely do we see icons of Jesus smiling - let alone laughing out loud! But in the Gospel of Judas, Jesus laughs a lot (sometimes causing great offence). Do you think Jesus had a sense of humour or was he serious, 24/7?

Perhaps some of Jesus' humour is lost to us because of the unimaginative and altogether "serious", "pious" ways in which we read the texts; perhaps because of cultural differences too (see Matt 7:3 and Mark 8:22-26).

When Jesus told a story, do you think he was animated - with intonations and all, or did he tell it in a droog, lifeless, unimaginative way?

Crowds were drawn to Jesus because of his healing gifts - but also because of his teachings. Last Sunday's Gospel Story tells us - with beautiful, deliberate exaggeration (just for effect nogal), that "the whole world [had] gone after him!" (John 12:19b) so he must have had "Madiba Magic" or "Obama Magic" or "Tutu Magic" or "Dalai Lama Magic"! Whatever he had, people were drawn to him - they loved him and probably hated him with passion.

As we enter into the pain and promises of Holy Week, Good Friday and onto Easter, look at the pleasant face of Jesus in Isobel de Gruchy's icon:

Look at the smile and kindness of Jesus' eyes
His open face, in the shape of a heart, you could say
His hair parted, like a Temple veil, revealing more of God to us
Look at the gentle way in which Jesus holds

and points to the Scriptures
Jesus doesn't make an idol of the Scriptures either
(they are pointers to the Way - and to the ways of Love)

In the Icon, they are off-centre

Jesus and his loving gaze are what's central

And that loving gaze is centred upon You!

You

You are central and not incidental to the Story of God.

You

God's full-of-goodness,

slow-to-anger, abounding-in-steadfast-love

Eyes and Heart are upon You

From the Heart of God

Rus comes from the hospital just now

after having blessed a baby (two weeks premature)!

He is so beautiful.

I was a breath away from someone who only yesterday,

fell from God's heart. Ironically, I was there to bless him -

but he will never know just how much

he's blessed me!

Kayden

Everybody calls me "father".

But as I stood over his electronic crib,

all I wanted to be was

"daddy"

Yesterday (25 March) was the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where we celebrated the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would give birth to God's Son. Yesterday was also the birthday of another of God's sons

Come with Me

Jesus said, "Come with me to a place apart"

I will come with you, Lord, to a place apart.

For you are my Rabbi,

my Teacher in all things -

and the deepest things...

In this treasure of Time

help me to find what's deepest

and most meaningful

so that I may grow

into the gift

and promises

of Life

Jesus in a Painful Place

Then Jesus withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done’. Then an angel of heaven appeared to him and gave him strength [to see this thing through]. In his anguish Jesus prayed more earnestly… When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief. Luke 22: 41-45

It’s cool to note that in this Gospel, Jesus appears to have the tendency many of us have when facing painful or difficult situations. Almost instinctively we want to wish it – or pray it away! We tend to want to avoid, deny, repress, pray or wish our wounds away. Jesus appears to be so like us (which is really cool)!

But often, to find the lesson or treasure buried in the well of our wounds, it needs to be felt and looked at with painful honesty. Ultimately, it is that truth-seeking - and not denying, (through the lens of kindness, gentleness, care and the like) that is freeing and healing. Jesus does a second cool thing (perhaps after wrestling with this pain all, all night).

Jesus refines his attention. He refines his prayer and says, “not my will but yours be done”. Jesus submits to a deeper plan.It moves me no end that after this period of “refinement” Jesus is assisted by the Unseen Realm in the form of an angel. This assistance comes, not to take the wound away, but to strengthen Jesus to see a Way through it all.

Every blessing as you continue with your Lenten Practices. From time to time, our attention and our prayers will have to be refined. Be kind to yourSelf and take care on this journey of Refinement.

May you be well
May you find your deepest treasure
hidden in the Well of whatever wounds you

May you be well

The photos, which I “Googled”, is that of a Tibetan monk - part of and witnessing the protests against China towards the end of last year

Petals in the Pool

Be still and know that you are loved by God.

For this moment, simply revel in that love and put aside all restlessness. Gently close your eyes and relax into the stillness. If there’s a tightness in your chest, around the area of your heart – or a warmness, acknowledge it with kindness. If there are similar feelings in your stomach, do the same.

Breathe deeply but naturally and relax. Drop your shoulders, unclench your fists, relax your jaw, relax your brow. Soften your gaze. Still your thoughts.

Imagine a clear pool of water at the centre of your life. Gently drop from the sky, three petals into this Pool of God’s Love for all the significant people, places and moments that have brought you here. People and places around which the Chapters of your Life hinge – those points – turning points that have giving you an opportunity to grow like the Green Shoot of Jesse…

As you drop these petals into the clear Pool, notice the gentle ripples they make – ripples on the Pool of Love going out into the world from the very heart of God…

As the petals fall, whisper to the ones you love (and those you find hard to love), whisper to them:

May you be Well

May you be truly Happy

May you be free from Suffering

Repeat this as many times as you like. God honours these well-wishes – these blessings radiating from the centre of God’s Heart and your heart.You may do this Practice as often as you like. It is also very good to wish yourSelf wellness, happiness and a life free from suffering. Don't neglect yourSelf! So often we think of everyone else but ourselves.

In the honouring of People and Places,
honour yourSelf, for you too are made in the image of God.

Be Still...

Pray the "shh-shh-shh shhh" Prayer.
Be Still and know this Truth - as if, as if for the very first time...

The Colour Green

Like the Afrikaans word, "Lente", Lent is also an ancient word for springtime. During springtime, delicate treasures in the form of flowers, buds, blades of grass, leaves of ferns and trees unfold, bursting into bloom - and Being...

They do so, after spending an extended period of time either in the rich, dark soil of the earth, or curled up tight in a bud or the knot of a node. Then this period comes to an end!

During springtime, Lent, or "Lente", there is a flowering of growth - an unfolding, an unravelling until that which is precious and beautiful is revealed (almost out of nothing).

Give God and give yourSelf a chance.

Keep at your good spiritual Practices - even through the mundane moments. That which is precious and beautiful - that which will Journey you (the authentic You) - That will be revealed...

The prayer beads, in the form of Anglican Rosaries, were made by my students over the weekend past

The Colour Purple

In the ancient world, some of the most expensive fabrics were dyed purple. Not everybody could afford it - it was something precious, rich and rare.

During the season of Lent, the Church uses the Colour Purple to remind us (among other things) that some of our deepest treasures may be found during this time. But it will take some effort on our part. God gives us an extended period (40 days, that is to say, a long time) in which to do this "finding" - in which to be "found". Of course this Journey (with a capital "J") lasts a lifetime, but during this season of Lent, we intensify our efforts by falling more deeply into spiritual practices - holding at its heart, the promise of something precious, rich and rare.

Keep at your Practice with the gentle persistance of a stream of water.