Zephaniah 1: De-Creation – Part V
Friday, April 12, 2024
At that time I will explore Jerusalem with lamps . . . Today we commemorate the last meal Jesus shared with his followers, the Last Supper that signals the initiation of the Eucharist, the gift of God’s presence among us. Today we spend time with the Gospels as we move closer to the fulfillment of the Easter promise that we are created in and for love.
Matthew 26:17-30 describes this last meal to his Jewish audience. The story told by Mark 14:12-26 is concise yet evocative. Luke 22:1-39 records the last conversations Jesus shares with his followers; we may find these inspiring as we prepare for the Easter Triduum. These accounts conclude with an accounting that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Finally, with beautiful, soaring language, John 13-17 prepares us for the events that loom in the next few days. We spend our time wisely if we spend time with one, several, or even all of the accountings.
As we consider the gift and promise of de-creation, we have the opportunity to share the gift of God’s presence each day, and we consider. Do we celebrate our creation with joy? Do we willingly open our hearts to welcome God’s holy in-dwelling? Do we share the good news that we are free to choose a life in and with Christ? Do we bring the lamp of Christ’s promise of redemptive love into the darkest corners of our world?
We have moved through Holy Week and Easter Week. Today we continue to move through Eastertide, a season when we also might carry lamps into the darkened places of our lives. Let us determine to live the story we heard in the Last Supper, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday readings. Let us determine to remain patient and watchful.
And let us resolve to be Remnant for God.
Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_(Leonardo_da_Vinci)
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