March 13, 2021
Good evening.
“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”  Luke 9:51Jesus has ministered for three years in Galilee, according to Luke. He selected some followers, he told parables, did some miracles, went away to be silent and calmed the waters, a few times. He lived a full life. He was under the threat of death ever since he preached a sermon in his hometown. He has great conversations with some important leaders in the community. Now he is ready for the big confrontation, both religiously and politically. 

Luke says that Jesus sets his face towards the Big City. He is ready to die. I do not know what that did to his soul. The disciples were angry with him. Many times, he said it is not his time yet.  Now, he is prepared for the pain, the suffering and the death of himself.

Lent is about preparation to die, When we get smeared with ashes on Ash Wednesday, the priest says “… and to dust you will return “. None of us like to think about or even prepare for it. My cousin’s husband, David Rempel Smucker died last night. He and my cousin Judith live in Winnipeg. They went to the same church as our two boys who live there. Judith is the cousin I am closest to in life . David went into palliative care about two weeks ago. That is sort of preparation for dying. He lived with kidney issues for decades. He is at peace, but I am not happy.
Dirge without Music ( Edna St. Vincent Millay )

…..

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

Fred

Soaring like Vultures

lifted up by unseen Hands

Trust, silent enters my fears   

  Monica Pieper Landoni 2021

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