Welcome to the 2008 Journey

Thank you for joining us today.   You are about to embark on a
journey that invites you to enter into reflection and meditation
that aims to bring the ancient story of Christ's passion into a
personal experience in the life of the seeker today. 

We have designed today’s experience as if you were on a
Journey with Christ.  At various places you will see shoes
symbolizing many “walks in life”  and sandals, symbolizing
Jesus walking with us.  

We have designed a series of “thresholds” ( the starting point
for a new state or experience; the smallest detectable sensation; the
entrance, the space through which you enter). You are invited to step
across the threshold to another time, another place.  Using all
of your senses, you are encouraged to participate fully in each
one.Each Threshold has a scripture reference and many have
other things like poems, lyrics, or other wording.

Each threshold of the physical vigil will be presented in a
separate post on this blog. Be sure to continue to the 
"older posts" to see all of the thresholds.

Feel free to “journal” your experience.  We encourage you
to share any special thoughts you may have and leave it
n a comment for those who come after you to read.
Throughout the day we will add notes from the physical
vigil to the virtual vigil and vice versa. At the end of the
day, we will have a service in the church sanctuary
beginning at 7:30 p.m.  At that time we will read aloud
any comments that have been left.   

 
If you are near Brimfield, please join us on Easter Sunday
Morning for a Sunrise Service beginning at 6:30 a.m. at
100 Tower Hill Road, followed by a pancake breakfast at
the church.  Easter Service of Celebration will begin at
10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.  

Our regular Sunday Worship Services are at 8:30 a.m.
and 10:30 a.m.  

For more information about the church call 413-245-7162.  

The Door

Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

….JESUS is knocking …. Will you open the door?
….JESUS is calling for you….  Will you answer His call?
….JESUS is waiting for you to join HIM on this journey… 
Will you take HIS hand and let HIM lead the way?

MEET JESUS….you’ve heard the stories…God sent his son to
teach us tolove, to teach us to live…

MEET JESUS…when he nudges you… tears threaten, throat tightens, a flood of emotion over the smallest of things…children walking down the isle, the simple lighting of a candle; the singing of a hymn, scriptures read, a sermon seemingly spoken just for you….

MEET JESUS…in the midst of your darkest moments, your deepest grief, heart breaking; you feel you can no longer go on…

MEET JESUS….in a hug, a smile, a kind word, delivered at the moment you needed it the most…

MEET JESUS…when you see injustice, it pulls at your heart, prompting you to take

action…

MEET JESUS…in the bread, the wine, the communion, the common union, the community of others….

MEET JESUS… He longs to take your hand in greeting and never let it go…

MEET JESUS…in life, in death….

The Palms

After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'His Master needs him.' " The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, "What are you doing untying the colt?" They said, "His Master needs him." They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street. Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

Blessed is he who comes, the king in God's name! All's well in heaven! Glory in the high places!

Luke 19:28-38

Have you ever walked down a street days after a parade? What does what is left behind say about what happened? What would it have been like to have been in the crowd on Palm Sunday? Can you hear the crowd now as it cries out for Jesus' death?

The Last Supper

When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It's the last one I'll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God." Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, "Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I'll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives." Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory." He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you. "Do you realize that the hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table? It's true that the Son of Man is going down a path already marked out—no surprises there. But for the one who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man, this is doomsday." They immediately became suspicious of each other and began quizzing one another, wondering who might be about to do this.

Luke 22:14-23

Join Jesus at the table, it has been prepared just for you. Take a piece of bread and dip it in the cup. As you cup your hand under the soaked bread you may catch a drop of the grape juice. Recall that Jesus proclaimed this to be his blood. What does it mean for you this Good Friday to have Jesus’ blood on your hands?

Dinner with Jesus

Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and 
will dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20

Do you feel alone? No one to talk to… You’ve given up… some days you don’t even feel like getting dressed.… Perhaps you are stressed with too many things to do, you feel an ache, an emptiness, because you never have time to spend with your family, even meal times are rushed….. You feel as though there must be more to your life than this….
Just like at the Last Supper, JESUS IS HERE WITH YOU. He Invites you to eat, to drink, to remember HIM.
Maybe this isn’t your experience but you know someone who is alone, who is depressed, who needs Jesus. Will you be as Christ to them and share your bread?

Pilate's Choice

Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, "You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It's clear that he's done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I'm going to warn him to watch his step and let him go."

At that, the crowd went wild: "Kill him! Give us Barabbas!" (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.)

Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.

But they kept shouting back, "Crucify! Crucify him!"

He tried a third time. "But for what crime? I've found nothing in him deserving death. I'm going to warn him to watch his step and let him go."

But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.

Luke 23:13-25

Madison Avenue never slumbers, Wall Street never sleeps. Investing is legalized gambling and the gamblers are protected and sometimes bailed out. Pilate knew that to be powerful meant to be bought and sold. Do you trust capitalism more than you trust Christ? Hold a coin close in front of your eyes. Notice how much it blocks out of view. Is money blinding you to seeing Christ? Pilate chose to serve money and power, whom will you serve?

The Nails

Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

Luke 23:32-34

Friday
I am imagining the soldier
who drove the nails,
clambering around or stretching
to reach the hands,
trying to avoid seeing
the face and the eyes,
ignoring the eternal life line
dividing the palms
from fingers down to wrists,
glimpsing the lips
moving silently,
mouthing words not meant 
for ears to hear.
And I'm wondering
how many keepers of reliquaries
claim to own those nails,
or perhaps even the letter home
written by the nailer
or some other soldier ordered
later to do his duty
and pull them out.
                     Warren L. Molton

Jesus could have called down angel armies to save himself, but he accepted death. Who killed Jesus? Didn't he allow the stinking rotten system created by human sin to kill him? Take the hammer in your hand and drive the nail for surely your participation (even through silence) in systemic evil nails Jesus to the cross still. As Woody Guthrie sang, “If Jesus preached today like he preached in Galilee, we'd lay Jesus Christ in his grave.”

Burdens

As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they'll say, 'Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' Then they'll start calling to the mountains, 'Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, 'Cover us up!' If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?"

Luke 23:26-31

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matt 11:28-30

Let the rocks symbolize your burdens, your sins, your worries…..
Place them in the buckets, put the yoke upon you, carry your burdens to the cross and empty them there. (Note: if you are unable to carry the yoke, feel free to just carry what you can and leave it at the cross) Feel free to kneel on the bench if you like.

BURDEN VISION

I was holding an immense amount of bags in both hands and I was aware of how much my shoulders, neck and back hurt from carrying the large and heavy packages. Yet I hung onto them and would not put them down. Before me stood Jesus at the foot of a huge cross. He was beckoning me to come to him; gently calling me to come and lay my burdens down before the cross. The following is the conversation we had:

C: Come to me, lay your burdens down

M: I can't they are too heavy, too many

C: Come

M: I can't, you can't really remove them because they are too complicated. They are so many.

C: Come to me. I will take them

M: I can't, I don’t know how to, they are who I am, I don't know how to be without them

C: I will show you who you can be

M: I'm afraid, what will happen to me if I lay them down? What if I can't feel anymore?

C: Don’t be afraid, I will be with you

M: I'm afraid I won't feel YOU anymore if I lay them down

C: Come lay them down… let me show you how it can be

M: But I have carried them so long that I am in great physical pain, I can't even move to bring them to you, it's no use

C: Let me carry them for you

M: No, there are so many more people whose burdens are so much greater than mine. What right do I have to even ask you for help, You should be helping them.

C: I am strong enough to carry all burdens, let me take them for you

At this point he moved to my side to take the packages from me. I resist again and struggle with him,

M: No they are mine. I can handle it, really. I have no right to be free of them.

C: Let me help you, let me take them to the cross for you

M: No!

C: Fine…

He then goes to the cross and picks it up. He struggles because it is very heavy, but he carries the cross to me and sets it right before me and then says:

C: There! Now you may release them, your burdens are before the cross

M: But why? Why would you do this for me? I don't deserve to have you do this. I am an awful person. I yelled at people today, I said bad things, I swore and ranted and raved with someone I shouldn’t have, I was a bad example of your love. I have too many dark things that I am ashamed of.

C: I forgive you.

M: Why? Why would you do this? I don’t deserve this.

C: Because I love you. Because I want you to let me love you. (His hand gently touched mine on the packages)

C: Let go

At that, I released my grip and the packages dropped. I fell into his arms and he hugged me and held me and let me cry. I felt his tears on my face and my hair and I realized he was crying too. Not tears of sadness, but of relief, of Joy. Slowly, I lifted my head and looked into his eyes. He was smiling. The most amazing loving smile.

Suffering of Jesus

So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face.

Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, "I'm thirsty." A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done . . . complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.

John 19:1-3, 28-30

Jesus was mocked with a crown of thorns and purple cloak. His torturers flogged him and then paid mock homage to the bleeding king. On the cross he was offered sour wine for his thirst. You can smell and taste the bitter vinegar on the table.

Tearing of the Veil

By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark,
the darkness lasting three hours— a total blackout.
The Temple curtain split right down the middle.
Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!"
Then he breathed his last. 

Luke 23:44-46

Only the high priest would ever dare to enter the Holy of Holies,
and then only one one day of the year with a rope attached
so others could pull him out if he were overwhelmed by God's holiness.
The tearing of the veil at the time of Christ's death showed that
God's love could not be contained. Holiness was offered to us as
a possibility because of the cross.

The Tomb

After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.

John 19:38-42

Yea, though I walk through the VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, thou art with me…….

Enter the tomb. There you will see images of death, destruction and suffering. Remember that Jesus is with us even unto death….

Spikenard Ointment

Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus' feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, "Why wasn't this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces." He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them. Jesus said, "Let her alone. She's anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don't always have me."

John 12:1-8

This alabaster jar is all I have of worth
I break it at your feet, Lord.
It's less than you deserve.
You are far more beautiful,
More precious than the oil,
The sum of my desires,
And the fullness of my heart...

the time that I have left
Is all I have of worth.
I lay it at your feet, Lord.
It's less than you deserve.
And though I've little strength,
and though my days are few,
You gave your life for me,
so I will live my life for you...

Smell the fragrant aroma of this exotic ointment. 
Imagine the scene when Jesus was anointed with this precious gift. 

Footwashing

Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?"

Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."

Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet—ever!" Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing."

"Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!"

Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am.

So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

John 13:3-17

A MODERN DAY FOOT WASHING

A True Story as witnessed by Gina Lynch

(the names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved)

In 1997 I was working at the Salem Mission, a Homeless Shelter for men and women. In addition to homeless adults we served low income people in the community at our daily Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. I was working during the supper hour, when a man named Sam came up to me and told me it was urgent he speak with me. He told me that Elaine was at his house and that her legs were so swollen she could barely walk. He said that they had tried to get her to see a doctor but she adamantly refused. Someone told her I was at work at the Mission and she sent Sam to find me. She said she would do whatever Gina suggested. But the catch, I couldn't go see her till morning she wasn't "ready yet".

The next morning I asked my husband Ian to come with me because I was a little afraid of the neighborhood and also of what I might encounter there. Sam lived in the worst section of Salem at that time. He lived in a very small apartment in an extremely run down building. We arrived early the next morning to find at least 6 people still hung over from the night before. After being warmly greeted we found Elaine sitting at a table in the corner of the "kitchen" area. Sam told everyone to leave to give us some time alone with Elaine. I asked her what the problem was and she told me her legs hurt, they burned and ached and she couldn't really walk on them. I asked her to pull up her pant leg and show me and they were indeed extremely swollen. They looked very bright red and so swollen they were about 3 times the normal size. I asked her why she wouldn't see a doctor and she said she hated doctors and she wouldn't go. After much coercing I finally asked, “what if I can get someone to come here and see you?" I suggested Kathleen, who used to be the nurse at the shelter. She agreed. Now I just had to find Kathleen and convince her to come! I told Elaine I would be back shortly after I got Ian to work. I called the VNA and asked for Kathleen. She had been promoted to an executive type position at the VNA. When I explained the situation to Kathleen, she told me she would meet me at Elaine's place immediately. I was impressed. I met her out front, so she would know the place. She got out of her car dressed like an executive. Her expensive, smartly matched off-white suit, pantie hose, classy high heeled shoes, and perfectly coiffed hair. She couldn't have looked more out of place.

Let me describe the apartment. You enter from the street through a door that opens directly into the living room. There were no windows in this room at all. It had walls that I suppose at one time were an off white or light tan but they were so coated with nicotine that they were a dirty brown. There was one stuffed chair near the door, and a TV. Across from the TV was a couch. Then another couch formed an L. Because the room was so small this left very little room to walk between the couches and the TV. The walls had holes, as did all the furniture and the place was strewn with empty beer cans, vodka bottles and dirty ashtrays. The room was shaped like an L and on the other leg of the L was the "kitchenette". It had a sink (at least I assumed that was what was under the pile of dirty dishes), 3 empty cupboards above the sink and one light on the wall above the sink. The fridge stood next to it and the stove was on the other side. Across from the sink was the only table with 3 chairs. Next to the table was a doorway that led to very small bedroom with one window and another door next to that one that was the bathroom. The entire apartment had only the window in the bedroom. The entire place seemed dark and it took some time to let your eyes adjust. There was leftover food, dirty dishes, ashtrays overflowing, and empty beer cans everywhere. The floor looked as if it had never been mopped, ever. Elaine sat in a chair at the table. I watched 3 roaches chasing each other up the wall next to where she sat. The place smelled of stale alcohol, stale ashtrays, body odor and urine.

I introduced Kathleen to Elaine and she began to talk softly to her assuring her that she would look at her and see what could be done. She asked Elaine to pull up the pant legs and although Elaine tried, the pant legs were so tight they could only be raised about an inch. Kathleen said, “oh my, let’s get your shoes off and have a look at your feet." At this, Elaine lowered her eyes and got teary. She told us that she had not taken her shoes off in over 3 months because the last time she did, someone stole her shoes while she was sleeping. Kathleen innocently asked how she bathed if she didn't take her shoes off. Elaine said she didn't, because she had a fear of water ever since her long time boyfriend Ray drowned. Kathleen then got down on her hands and knees and removed Elaine's shoes. I was about 3 feet away and the stench was so strong it caused the gag reflex and I had to try hard to keep myself from vomiting. Kathleen never batted an eye and continued on with the task. I looked at Elaine and she had tears softly, silently falling down her cheeks. She mumbled that she was so embarrassed. Elaine's once white socks were blackened with wear. Kathleen tried to remove the socks but they literally had to be peeled off, they were so stuck to her feet. A layer of skin and grime came off with it. All the time, she talked quietly and gently to Elaine. At this point Kathleen asked me to find a basin of some sort and wash it out so she could soak Elaine's feet. I went to the sink and started moving things around to look and as soon as I did, roaches started scattering in every direction. I found a dishpan and some dish soap and washed it out then filled it with warm water and the packet of stuff that Kathleen asked me to put in it. I then handed her the basin and she began to wash Elaine's feet. As I watched in awe, there seemed to be a bright, glowing light pouring into the place around them (as I said there were no windows except the bedroom and that door was shut) a voice whispered in my ear "You are witnessing Christ in action." It moved me to tears. I have often thought of this day and pondered….Who was the Christ? Was Jesus the beautifully dressed woman who despite the filth, got down on her knees to wash the feet of one who was the “least, the last and the lost?” Or was Jesus the one whose feet were being washed, come in the form of “the least of these”? Where do you see Jesus?

Serenity Garden

You’ve been on a long soul searching journey….

Jesus says, “ come to me all who are weary
and heavy burdened and I will give you REST.” 
Matthew 11:28

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

Go now in PEACE  to the Garden of Serenity…..

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES…..

You have MET JESUS…..

You have WALKED with Him….

You have been NOURISHED …

You have let Him CARRY YOUR BURDENS….

You have SUFFERED and gone through the VALLEY OF THE SHADOW with Him by your side….

You have been ANOINTED and RESTED…..

NOW GO FORTH from this place…

FOREVER CHANGED …..

SERVING those whom He has CALLED YOU TO SERVE…

Knowing that this Jesus, Your COMPANION, Your FRIEND,

LOVES YOU MADLY….

And will BE WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF TIME……