Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 102; Exodus 12:1-14; John 13:1-15; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Psalm 142
When I was in my journey toward ordination, my mentor suggested I read a little book by a former United Methodist bishop of the Rocky Mountain Conference – a man by the name of Melvin Wheatley. The title of his book was Christmas is for Celebrating. One of the memorable chapters in the book had to do with the importance of receiving. When you think about it, for a people whose faith is predicated on receiving the grace and mercy of God as revealed through Jesus; Bishop Wheatley’s point only makes sense. And yet for many of us raised in the faith, we have become so good at giving that the notion of receiving is downright hard. We see this played out in today’s story from the Gospel of John. In that story, Jesus – sensing what lie ahead – decided to wash the disciples’ feet. Peter, however, balked at Jesus’ idea. He was so use to playing the role of giver that the notion he might actually receive something like a foot washing seemed repugnant to him. Jesus made it clear that he must switch roles when he said: “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be a part of what I’m doing” (John 13:8 – The Message). So why was the notion of receiving so hard for Peter? Why is it so hard for us? Probably because receiving is about two things we would much rather forgo in our daily lives – humility and a sense of perspective. The humility involved in the simple act of receiving requires us to confront the uncomfortable fact that we can’t always provide everything for ourselves; the sense of perspective one gains through the act of receiving reminds us where the source of all resources really lies (once again, outside of ourselves!). It’s no wonder we like to give better than receive! This Maundy Thursday, I invite you to honestly explore your willingness to receive. For your capacity to receive will in many ways determine your ability to fully appreciate and experience the Easter event that lies just around the corner. Til next time…
When I was in my journey toward ordination, my mentor suggested I read a little book by a former United Methodist bishop of the Rocky Mountain Conference – a man by the name of Melvin Wheatley. The title of his book was Christmas is for Celebrating. One of the memorable chapters in the book had to do with the importance of receiving. When you think about it, for a people whose faith is predicated on receiving the grace and mercy of God as revealed through Jesus; Bishop Wheatley’s point only makes sense. And yet for many of us raised in the faith, we have become so good at giving that the notion of receiving is downright hard. We see this played out in today’s story from the Gospel of John. In that story, Jesus – sensing what lie ahead – decided to wash the disciples’ feet. Peter, however, balked at Jesus’ idea. He was so use to playing the role of giver that the notion he might actually receive something like a foot washing seemed repugnant to him. Jesus made it clear that he must switch roles when he said: “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be a part of what I’m doing” (John 13:8 – The Message). So why was the notion of receiving so hard for Peter? Why is it so hard for us? Probably because receiving is about two things we would much rather forgo in our daily lives – humility and a sense of perspective. The humility involved in the simple act of receiving requires us to confront the uncomfortable fact that we can’t always provide everything for ourselves; the sense of perspective one gains through the act of receiving reminds us where the source of all resources really lies (once again, outside of ourselves!). It’s no wonder we like to give better than receive! This Maundy Thursday, I invite you to honestly explore your willingness to receive. For your capacity to receive will in many ways determine your ability to fully appreciate and experience the Easter event that lies just around the corner. Til next time…
1 comment:
Love this. I may just read it to the group gathering this evening for our Maundy Thursday supper - giving you full credit, of course.
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