A Demolition Dilemma

In a city nearby, there is an old abandoned building close to a major interstate which starting spitting bricks onto the highway. Since that happened, I believe it was the state department of transportation that condemned the building so that it could be demolished. Then came all the legal wrangling about who, how, when that would occur, but most of all, who would pay for it. Actually, the demolition is not even the expensive part. That would be easy to accomplish, and though costly, nothing compared to the cost of the clean-up. It would be a toxic site, probably full of asbestos.

I got to thinking about how similar that is to people. It is very easy to criticize them, to tear them down, to destroy them with a cruel and unkind word. And all of that can pretty quickly add up to some serious toxicity in their spirits.

While the city and the state and the lawyers try to figure out a solution, meanwhile the drivers are all forced into a detour mode, going a different route from the most direct one.

People’s lives are like that too. If they get bogged down with toxic feelings and beliefs about themselves, it can take much of their lives to work that out. Meanwhile, they may be off on some different path from the one they might have traveled if it were not for the damage.

This interesting political situation just makes me think about how very easy it is to demolish, and how very difficult to clean up the mess!

A Challenging Visit

This afternoon's visit was the most challenging I have encountered in this particular interim ministry. I had some clues that it might be when I had tried to find out about her. I didn't really even think she would agree to a visit, from what I had heard. But surprisingly, she called me, or returned my phone message.

I don't know exactly how to describe what I encountered. She was/is a fragile person. I learned her story, and how she had experienced a complete mental breakdown. She described her family as completely dysfunctional, and went on to say why that was so, in great detail. I guess I am completely and utterly amazed that someone in their sixties, who has had lots of therapy, an intelligent, high functioning person, could still be so wounded and broken.

She had been deeply hurt by a number of family members. (It is family members who usually have the power to inflict the deepest wounds.) In a way, I have experienced some of the same kinds of things in my life that have caused her to have so much unresolved baggage, and illness. To meet her made me so very grateful for my own healing and forgiveness and wholeness.

Even though she was not open to matters of faith and religion, I wanted so badly for her to know that forgiveness is not what you give to others. It is what we do for ourselves. It is about letting go. Clearly, she has not been able to let go of things that happened to her even as a child.

I suspect that letting go is much easier for those of us who believe in a God of redemption and grace, of compassion and mercy. When we can accept all that, we can forgive ourselves, and the journey toward wholeness begins!

All About Nard

At the moment, I am studying three different scriptures because on the second Sunday I am teaching the adult class; on the third Sunday, leading worship at the retirement home; on the fourth Sunday, preaching.

Today, I got especially curious about the story of Mary pouring the pure nard on Jesus' feet at Bethany. That sent me on a search to find out about nard and anointing. The search became somewhat like solving a biblical and theological mystery.

Nard is an intense, extravagant, exquisite perfume made from a root plant that originates in the Himalayas. It was rare and expensive.

The first mention of anointing in the Bible is in Exodus where directions are given for mixing fine spices with olive oil in order to mark something (or someone) as sacred. To anoint is to consecrate, to introduce the divine spirit, that which is holy, of God. In the Old Testament, priests are anointed, as are kings.

I also found on the list under the biblical fragrances--frankincense and myrrh. I know those, of course, because they were gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus. Frankincense was used by priests in worship. Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment, preparation for burial. It originates in the resin of a certain tree. These were symbolic gifts for a future Savior.

"Christ" literally means the "anointed one", the one appointed and sent by God for a specific purpose. For his ministry, his destiny, Jesus was anointed by the spirit. At the beginning of his ministry he read from the scroll and said: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."

The anointing by Mary at Bethany happens at the end of his public ministry, just before his final Passover. It foreshadowed his burial.

To be the 'anointed one' means that Jesus was called, set aside, destined for his divine task and unique calling. It was his destiny, to be---God incarnate, holy, and--- sacrament.

Above Freezing

Today is March first, and it has been above freezing all day. The forecast projects above freezing temperatures for the rest of the week. It has been a long long time since we've seen that kind of warmth. At least above freezing provides some relief.

I am especially anxious to get the annoying icicles off of the gutters. Unfortunately, they are beyond reach. There are the shrubs between you and the house, and three feet of snow around the shrubs. No rake or shovel comes anywhere near reaching those icicles! Hopefully warmer temps in the next few days will take care of that problem.

I am ready for spring. I am even beginning to think of the things that lie beneath that three feet of snow. Things like bulbs and budding trees and green grass, eventually.

Winter is largely white and gray with skies of blue.

Spring is yellow and green and every hue.

Winter is cold and snowy and too long, I think.

Spring is quick and warm and sometimes pink.

Winter is icy chill, hanging around.

I am very ready to see the ground!