Ever notice the importance of the elements of nature in the Christian narrative?
We've got trees, water, wheat, grapes, gardens all over the place...
Our narrative starts with a garden, and a tree that humanity uses to cause all sorts of problems.
And then, at the end, our narrative ends with a garden, and a prayer, and a tree that God uses to solve all sorts of problems.
At church today, the first reading was the Exodus Passover story. And I got caught up wondering about religion and "actually."
Did Noah actually sail the ark?
Did Moses actually glow so much he had to wear a veil?
Did the Nile actually turn to blood?
And then I realized that it doesn't matter. Because to those who believe, the answer is yes:
Noah really did sail the ark.
Moses really did glow.
And the Nile really did turn to blood.
I know we talked about this in one of my classes this year, so it's something that's been talked about before, but I'm talking about it now. Because it's hitting me now.
In the hearts of believers, all the facts of faith really happened. Actually goes out the window. If it actually happened... who cares? Who cares if I actually brushed my hair or if I combed it or if I just woke up with perfect hair? Who cares if Bob actually mailed the package? If Bob gave it to Jim and Jim mailed it, then the package was really mailed by Bob.
I'm not making my point.
Actually is fact, is 100% provable proof that X happened just as X describes.
Really is truth. 100% or not, Really is real.
Does a three-year-old care that his stuffed crocodile doesn't have a pulse? Croodee is still Real. He's not an actual crocodile. But he's real. Actual doesn't matter. Real does.
And if Leo the cocker spaniel puppy isn't actually a lion... he can still really be one.
Take that, Jesus Seminar.
Well, it's Palm Sunday. How's your lent been?
As we enter Holy Week, I want to take a moment to reflect on a few things.
Holy Week is sort of an eclectic time for the Church. We celebrate, we dine, we mourn, we don't know what to do with ourselves, and then we celebrate again. This year, which Holy Day resonates with you?
Are you a Palm Sunday person: Do you cheer the triumphant Jesus, entering the city on a stranger's colt, even though he has warned you that he's going to die here? Do you follow the Spirit's advice, even when unsure of the results?
What do we do with this day of celebration, when we know the trials to come?
Or maybe you're a Maundy Thursday person: The meal, the community, the doubting of those you have travelled with. The fear that you are the one accused. The knowledge that you are the one accused.
What do we do with the meal, when we've been accused?
Or Good Friday: Do you deny? Do you follow the crowd along the way, on the fringe, afraid to really join for what others will say, but you can't pull yourself away? Have you done that along the Way? Do you stand at the foot of the cross, watching, waiting? And what do you do in the evening, when all is said and done, but morning, mourning, has yet to strike?
What do we do with a day called "Good" where we only blame ourselves?
And what about Holy Saturday: Do you live in the in-between? Are you resting before the celebration, or are you collapsed after the suffering?
What do we do with the day Before?
