Wednesday’s thoughts
This past Tuesday she had arranged the altar with the Bible open and right under the suspended cross. There were candles burning; two of them. The oil in the candles was gradually running out and the flame was growing smaller and smaller.
There was a small figure on the altar. It was a person with arms outstretched. I imagined it was Jesus. I think that’s who it was supposed to be. There was a face but there were no markings for a face. It was ‘faceless’ in a way. No mouth, no nose, ears, lips, or eyes were evident.
Outside the Chapel they were running machinery to level the ground for the columbarium. At one point while I and others were sitting in the Chapel listening to the music and thinking our sweet thoughts one of the pieces of equipment rammed the Chapel.
I looked up at the small figure on the altar; the one that had no face, and I’m sure I saw it. It was as real as anything. It was clear to me. Jesus was smiling.
In our efforts to prepare, knowing that we can never be altogether prepared, we each may imagine Jesus smiling at us.
We will work hard, and there could be a time in which we see Jesus smiling (metaphorically) and saying to us, “Relax”.
Can you add to this story; this epiphany?
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Charles Schuster
By vocation I’m an engineer on a manufacturing line. By avocation, I’m a hiker/climber. From my experineces in both arenas, I think there’s a subtle difference in the way preparedness is defined.
Often times folks will only feel prepared if they can control their enviornment or situation. I suspect my mom’s like that. There’s lists to be checked off, there’s chores to be accomplished, and everything must go according to plan.
My experiences take me down a different path. My job and my hobbies have caused me to expect the unexpected. Just when I thought I’d seen it all, something new comes along. As much as I might like to prepare, I can’t control my environment.
What I can try to control is my response to those things life throws my way. Preparedness means being open to changing preconceptions. Preparedness means being willing to toss the schedule in place of a better opportunity. Preparedness means being able to see myself through anothers eyes and understand if that means change.
I’m guessing Mary said to Joseph that the baby’s coming. It shouldn’t have had to be in that place or time, but it was coming and no amount of planning would change that.
The stories said that Herod feared the birth of the Jews’ liberator. But despite an attempt to destroy that which would bring change, the Child would indeed survive and alter history.
Sometimes we might get a glimpse of God. And in those glimpses we may find that God is not be what we’d prepared for. So preparation is not so much planning the details as learning to accept and embrace what is unplanned.
As the old adage goes, if you wish to hear God laugh, tell God your plans.