Category: Uncategorized

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Someone said to me recently, “This has been the Lentiest Lent I’ve ever had. I’ve been stripped of so much – social interaction, physical touch, even the Eucharist.”

All thanks to the Coronavirus.

While we’ve all found this to be a “Lenty Lent,” the inconvenience of social distancing is nothing compared to the pain some families are experiencing as their loved ones die in hospitals alone.

Families cannot even grieve in groups.

That pain is almost unfathomable.

Yet we can all empathize to some extent, because pain and the need for healing are part of being human.

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In the Gospel, Jesus kneels down to wash his disciples’ feet. At that time, such a gesture was considered normal.

People didn’t drive on well-paved roads like we do today. They often walked along dry and dusty roads, so it was common to catch a pebble or two in your sandal as you went.

When guests arrived at person’s home, then, their feet were covered with dust. Some may have had cuts and bruises.

But is Jesus washing his disciples’ feet simply because they’re dirty? Or is there a deeper meaning?

It’s the last night of his life on earth. Surely Jesus isn’t wasting time on pleasantries. Everything he does is on purpose.

This gesture of bathing bruised feet was intended to be a moment of healing for them, as it should be for us tonight, even if social distancing keeps us apart.

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Like the disciples, we’ve all walked along different paths in life, paths that are too often strewn with pebbles.

The Coronavirus is one example of a pebble caught in our sandal. It’s wounded us and scraped our feet. 

But what are the other pebbles caught in my sandal tonight? How have I been wounded?

Maybe I need a relationship mended. My health or my faith to be restored. My job to return. Grief to be lifted. A second chance.

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These are the cuts and bruises that Jesus wants to heal.

On this, his final night on earth, he kneels down to wash our feet. He acknowledges our wounds; he kisses and bathes them.

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But remember his words that follow: “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

We’ve all had a pebble or two caught in our sandal; we’re all wounded in different ways. Don’t pour salt into them; rather, cover them in mercy. 

How might I follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be an agent of healing for others?

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“This has been the Lentiest Lent I’ve ever had.” 

So many of us are approaching Easter with pebbles in our sandal. Sit down. Remove your sandals. Let the Lord wash your feet.

But when they’ve dried, do the same for others.

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In the Gospel, Jesus is six days away from his death.

How timely it is, then, that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus extended a dinner invitation to thank him for all he’s done in their lives.

Remember, it was only a short while ago that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

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But Mary, Martha, and Lazarus show their gratitude for Jesus in different ways.

Lazarus opens his home. Martha prepares and serves the meal. Mary spends all she has on a costly bottle of perfume, anointing Jesus’ feet with it.

Three different gestures with the same message: thank you.

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There are many different ways we can show our gratitude, as well. 

But how do we show our gratitude for the life of Jesus?

How do we show our gratitude for those working tirelessly to end the Coronavirus; for teachers who are trying their best to educate our children from home; for our jobs; for our families; for our homes; for the gift of life?

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Holy Week teaches us many things. But the first lesson on Monday morning is this: See how immensely blessed you are.

Make a list.

And give thanks.

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How has your life changed in the last month?

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Have you lost your job? Had trouble paying the bills? Learned something new about technology, including how to log-in to Zoom so your kids can go to school?

Life seemed normal this Lent.

Then everything changed.

As someone recently said, “This is the Lentiest Lent I’ve ever had! I’ve been stripped of so much – social interaction, physical touch, even the Eucharist.”

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The same was true for Jesus.

Life seemed normal. Then he was stripped of everything – his friends, his dignity, even his life.

Today on Palm Sunday people are chanting “Hosanna!” (Hail the king!), laying palm branches at his feet while he processes into Jerusalem.

But by Friday they will be shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Cheering as he’s beaten with reeds, scourged, and nailed to a cross.

Things changed quickly for Jesus, too.

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All of this leads me to question:

Can we ever consider life to be normal? Is it possible to let our guard down? Or do we always have to be prepared for disaster? Where’s the balance?

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I don’t know.

But one thing’s for sure. 

We have much less control over our lives than we want. That’s a tough pill to swallow.

Just think about the havoc one virus has wreaked on us.

Over one million people have already contracted it around the world; thousands have died; millions of Americans have lost their jobs; children are learning from home; the economy has tanked; and our future remains uncertain.

If the Coronavirus – and, more importantly, Holy Week – teach us anything it’s that life is unpredictable.

We live in a constant state of change.

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But the one thing that should never change is our faith.

Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus shows us what it means to be faithful. From the age of twelve he’s found in the Temple doing, “his Father’s business.”

Even on the last night of his life, he cries out, “Father, not my will, but yours be done.” 

Things changed quickly for Jesus. One day people wanted to crown him king. The next they wanted to crucify him. 

But his trust in his Father never wavered.

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That’s the challenge for us, too. To never lose our faith.

But on a deeper level, to never lose our trust in God.

Faith makes me believe that Jesus died under Pontius Pilate and rose again from the dead.

Trust makes me hope that Jesus is still active in my own life; that he hears my pleas for help.

And not only me, but every person who says his name, particularly those with Coronavirus.

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Life is a gift. It’s beautiful.

But it’s also terribly fragile and unpredictable, which is why we need faith…and trust.

Our heavenly Father knows our needs, he hears our pleas for help, he sustains us with friends along the journey, and gives us our “daily bread.” 

Then he promises life to come.

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As Saint Teresa of Avila once wrote:

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing away;

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things,

Whoever has God lacks nothing;

God alone suffices.

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Life is beautiful and unpredictable. Things can change on a dime.

But whoever has God lacks nothing.

In these uncertain times, stay close to Jesus as he enters into Jerusalem. Cry out, “Hail the king! Hosanna in the highest!”

And stay trustingly by his side.

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