Holy Tuesday

Read the Gospel of John 12.20-36

To John, this is an incredibly import passage of his gospel.

First, he is sought out by Greeks, not citizens of Israel. He crosses the boarders in this passage. The Greeks go to Philip ("lover of horses" in Greek) and Andrew ("manly" in Greek) because of their Greek names. Jesus replies to the Greek's request by saying: "the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified!"

Secondly, when his soul is troubled, a Voice came from heaven saying, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." When the voice speaks the people have different reactions to hearing it. "Thunder" some said, and others said "Sn angel has spoken to him." That day, even as today, people hear the Voice of God in different ways.

Finally, Jesus says, without fear, that the Son of Man must be 'lifted up'--crucified. He likens his fate to 'light' being replaced by darkness and calling people to be children "of the light".

On this day, the drama of the rest of Holy Week is laid out. All that is missing is 'living it out' and Jesus dying and awaking on the third day.

During this eerie and unsettling Holy Week take time each day to sit quietly and notice your breathing. Counting your breaths to four and then counting to four again and then again and again. Counting your breaths is the simplest form of meditation and meditation will be of help as we live through these oh-so-strange days.

Pray for the nurses and doctors risking their lives to save ours.

Pray for the grocery store workers who are making sure we have food.

Pray for the soup kitchens and food pantries and homeless shelters guarding the "least of these" in our midst.

Pray for those who are truly homeless.

Pray for our black and brown and elderly and  health vulnerable neighbors and fellow citizens who are most at risk from the virus.

Pray for those you love.

Walk in the light. Be children of the light in this time of darkness.