Wednesday, April 16th, "Almost Like We’re Running from Something"

Breath Prayer: “air”   “bound”

     Our stories of Holy Week are seen by looking back in time. Centuries have past since the days following Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem on the donkey’s back. Although we can’t actually know what they were thinking or feeling, we continue to enter in as we can. There isn’t a first-person account of those Holy Days. We only have words written years later. We can only imagine.

     I would imagine that his disciples and friends were growing more and more anxious. Seeing what they saw day-after-day makes me imagine that they were coming to be sorely afraid, almost as though they were running from something.  

     A few years ago my sister, Claudia and I were walking along a series of lagoons late on a Georgian night. We were walking back to our friend’s house after dinner and talking. Although I’d heard warnings about alligators in the waters, my Midwestern sensibilities didn’t truly take it in.  We were almost home and we both heard the sound at the same time. We couldn’t see it, but we knew it was there. First we were air bound and when our feet finally touched the ground, we ran blindly into the closest neighbor’s yard. I remember that I didn’t know what to do, except run as fast as I could. (Editors note: we both lived to tell this tale)

     I wonder if this was true as well of Jesus’ friends? They couldn’t see it, but they knew it was there. Change was coming. Soon nothing would be the same. They could feel it in their bones. But what was next for all of them?

Prayer: Almighty and merciful God you lead us, sustain us, remind us each day. Continue to guide us, we pray. Lead us now in these Jerusalem days. May we have strength enough, courage enough, faith enough to follow you tomorrow and tomorrow. Amen.  

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