The Disciples in the Boat

They saw him on shore and knew who he was. They would whisper his name to one another, and Peter plunged ahead to be as soon with him as he could, but not even he would call him by name. We may find it strange and might wonder were they embarrassed by him. He was supposed to be dead, and we can sometimes be uncomfortable with those people, even though they be our friends, who do not follow the rules. Or maybe the rules had changed, or else they feared they had changed, and when uncertain which rules apply we can sometimes avoid the disappointment of choosing the wrong ones if we say nothing. Saying nothing, calling people and things by no name, hiding in silence lest speaking hurt: it is not as uncommon as it might seem.

In-Jokes of the Disciples

Aside from what is recorded in the Gospels, it might be nice if there were also a record of the silly and funny things that happened during their mission. They would be the stories the disciples told each other, the ones beginning with, "Remember..." and ending in laughter as they did. They are the things a person might not understand if he were not there at the time, and while not recorded I am sure they happened. Unless there was silliness and fun it would have been an awfully ponderous trip.

The Prodigal Son's Job

The prodigal was apparently trying to upgrade his job. To that end he worked out a speech, but whether he meant it we never do learn. Whether he did or not made little difference, as it turned out.

Jesus's Time

At Cana Jesus thought it was not yet time.  I wonder when he thought it would be.  I wonder was he expecting a dramatic announcement.

The Journey Itself

If getting to the promised land was the goal they could have walked there in a week, but instead the aim was the journey.  The desert was the purpose itself.

The Widow's Coins

Having given to the temple her two copper coins the widow did not then win the lottery.

Seeing Bartimaeus

In the story of Bartimaeus, the bishop had thought Jesus' friends had not understood and so they tried to protect him from this shouting blind man.  This Sunday, the priest thought it more central to see them leading the blind man forward.  They were his advocates.  Actually, they had done both.  Followers do not always understand, but sometimes they do.  We get in the way, but sometimes we do not stay there.

Before the Ascension

I would have preferred Jesus saddened by the prospect of Ascension.  I would rather him miss his friends even before leaving them, and that he tell them so rather than simply leave.  I would rather have him regret the loss of them, no matter how short the time; but maybe he had already said those things.  Maybe he had spent that forty days in sharing and perhaps it was in that time he got to say: "Know I loved you, and don't be afraid to love each other; sing often and dance each chance you get; touch one another; let each other know you are trying to understand; don't let your friend become only your brother, and remember that brothers are more essential to one another than anyone else might ever be; don't let traditions end as long as they are good and helpful; offer assistance to those in danger of becoming creeps; trust each other."  Maybe it had all been said.  Still, I wish he had said goodbye, with a tear in each eye.

Follow

He said, "Follow if you would be perfect," not that you had to be perfect at the start.

Elijah in the Wilderness

Elijah walked a day into the wilderness and thought himself entitled to death.  The Lord did not agree.

Kingdom

Back when the kingdom was like trees and fields and living things, it was a nicer kingdom, a more welcome place than it can sometimes seem now that birds nest less often in it.

Misunderstanding

The young man asked and Jesus responded, and because he did and because the man wanted to hear even more, Jesus may have thought he was also agreeing.  Perhaps he did, but in the end the man went away.  Maybe his understanding had been only of the words.  Maybe the young man's sadness was as great as Jesus' own at what might have been, but in that moment could not be.

Isaac's Sadness

I wonder was Isaac saddened to think his father would more readily listen to God than to his child.

Moving Past Old Stories

Had he done what he thought God was asking, had Abraham killed his child, then no matter what might have been promised would have lost its value.  The victory Agamemnon achieved had lost its significance when at the outset he sacrificed his child.  He may even have welcomed the death that awaited his return, finding it more fitting than any celebration might have been.  I realize the Abraham story is intended as an example of faith, and maybe it is present in Agamemnon's story too, but faith or duty are not so clearly present.  To borrow another story from the Greeks, Odysseus is shown not to be crazy when he cannot kill his child, a more hopeful value of where values might better lie.

For Paul, it seemed a mark of God's love that he would not spare his child.  I think it could as easily be a basis not to trust since he who would love his son less might not love us at all.  I would rather believe the time for stories such as these is over and that whatever message they might have offered has been replaced by concern for one's own children and a reluctance to find hope in death of any sort.

Jesus's Doubt

Since he alone had heard God's voice, you might wonder did Jesus doubt it had actually occurred.  As he walked away from the Jordan, or maybe the next day, did he doubt what had in that moment seemed so real.

A Different World

The kings came back by a different route and hopefully they returned to a different place.

The Last Are First

Because they are last they are already first.  Because of their humility they have no need to be exalted.  Being the servant has made them the principle, the center.  Becoming is not the question.  Acknowledging what is adds nothing essential.

Our Invitation

We are not invited to take up Jesus's cross, but our own.

Assertiveness

He did not ask would they be interested in a change in career.  He instead said, "Follow me."

Forgetfulness

The workers early into the vineyard forgot they had not needed to endure the idleness and uncertainty of a day with nothing to do.