“He said to them, ‘As
soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you.’”
Luke 22:10
A few more thoughts
about this passage came to mind as I puttered around the garden, enjoying one
of the first really nice days we’ve had this spring.
I wondered if this
pitcher contained the water Jesus washed the Disciple’s feet with. It would make
the small parade through Jerusalem all the more significant symbolically not
only because it mirrored Jewish ritual, but it turns it on its head by infusing
it with humility.
Jesus tells Peter, who protested Jesus washing
his feet, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” John 13:8
I believe there are
many Jewish laws about hygiene, too. Somewhere along the line I heard how dirty
feet would get with no sanitation systems in the towns and lots of animals
sharing the road. They did wear sandals. Jesus washed far more than dust away.
He washed away the dirtiest dirt of the world.
While typing out the
first quote this morning, I also realized this water carrying man is an image
of Jesus Himself.
As I cut away dead
branches from the hedge between my neighbour’s yard and mine (isn’t that
symbolic!), I spent a great deal of time thinking and praying about my own “journey
through Jerusalem.”
I realized I had a
fair bit of forgiving to do.
My journey has taken
me to a few different churches. The reasons I left them were varied. One was simply
because I had moved away. Even though it wasn’t all that far, financial
difficulties limited my ability to travel.
Another was because
I was hurt and left feeling abandoned during the darkest days on the Black
River. I have a vague, ghost of a memory of the pastor coming to the local
hospital the first time I was admitted for mental health reasons but that was
it. No other contact. That’s where the forgiving needs to happen. I can give thanks I met one of my dearest
friends there who has been by my side
all this time.
Hmmm, this is an
area I could use some growth in myself, reaching out to those who may not be
able to reach in for any number of reasons.
I did return a few
times. Once was because I was invited to speak about mental health and the
Krasman Centre. After the service, I stood in the lobby to offer people an
opportunity to speak with me and to hand out flyers. I witnessed more than one
person go out of their way to avoid coming anywhere near where I was standing. Lord,
I must forgive them for their misunderstanding, their ignorance and prejudice
because it did cause me a great deal of hurt. I suppose the hurt is also because of a great deal of pride. (Forgive me,
Lord, for judging others!)
But it was the church
where I honoured Jesus’ commands by being baptized there despite having been
baptized as a child: the practice of another faith. It is the place I found
freedom in worship.
For a long time, I
was simply not well enough to go to church at all. I wanted to but didn’t know
where. The church I had been baptized at was simply too big and busy for
someone with anxiety. It was overwhelming to think of returning and trying to
cope with it all each and every week. I did try on a couple of occasions but it
was exhausting.
So now I am here, attending
a smaller church with a big heart and a focus on community, on peace, and of
course, on Jesus! I feel I have finally come home. Thank You, Lord for
inspiring an acquaintance to invite me to go there.
I also thought about
my transient…what…lack of commitment? Maybe it is part of who I am simply
because my life has brought about many moves from across the country to across
town. My little house is the longest I've lived anywhere.
But this transient/transitioning/transforming
path leading me to these various churches does not reflect my deeply rooted commitment
to God. Pentecostal, Evangelical, Baptist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and Catholic
all enriched my life tremendously. They continue to do so! Whether I attended
for a season or a day, they helped me on this journey by teaching me the
universal message of freedom and love Jesus offers every one of us, regardless
of religion. Regardless of how poorly we humans are at living in and through
this message.
Lord, I have spoken
of being hurt. Forgive me for hurting others because of my enthusiasm to share
Your message or because of neglecting to do just that. Thank You for unlocking
my heart so I can learn to love better. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!
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