A reflection on the readings for Maundy Thursday.
(Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
This morning as I sat down with my coffee and Jesus to read, pray, and ponder, it began to rain. Hard and Loud. Now, it’s Maundy Thursday, the day in the Church Calendar when we reflect on Jesus’ last meal with his disciples before his arrest. I was trying to keep my concentration on this but all I wanted to do, really, was jump up dancing to celebrate the rain. We are in such a severe drought and the sound of the rain brought me great joy. I laughed out loud and thanked God for the rain … and then I turned my attention back to what Jesus might have been experiencing on this day.
Jesus knew what was going to happen. He knew that Judas would sell him to the Roman authorities. He knew that Peter would deny knowing him. He knew that most of the disciples would run away. And he celebrated the Passover Feast with them. He washed their feet. He ate with them. He asked them to pray with him. He told them of the suffering they would cause and experience. He gave God praise and told them of the possible blessings if they kept God’s commandment to love.
Jesus knew the gift God would offer through his own death and resurrection. And Jesus prayed to God that if possible he didn’t want to go through it.
Now, I know my simple distraction this morning is not at all comparable to the events we remember on this day but I do think it offers insight into how complicated life is, even in the ordinary routines of our regular days. We can desire to be immersed in God’s presence and want to follow the distractions. So, what if, we look for God’s presence in the distractions as well? God’s glorious love is found both in pondering the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and in the rain that interrupted my pondering.
Jesus never let go of knowing that Judas, Peter, and all the disciples – and the politicians who took Judas’ money and the soldiers who came to arrest him and Herod’s court and Pilate’s court and all who were complicit in his murder – were also loved by God. This knowledge didn’t make what was happening to him any easier to bear. And yet, Jesus saw these people as God’s beloved.
The harmful behavior of others may not glorify God but the way we see them does. We may not always glorify God by our treatment of others but God loves us and will welcome us back into The Way when we realize and acknowledge the harm we’ve caused. Look for God in everyone today; pay attention to God’s presence in all that you do today. Journey with Jesus in all things, in the intentional time set aside for prayer and pondering, in your to-do list and in all the distractions that will come your way, and especially in everyone you encounter.
Keep lovin’ louder than the hate, Y’all!
Mother Nancy's Coffee Thoughts 