The Gospel for FRIDAY, July 1, 2005 (Canada Day)
Luke 23:26-31
As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For look, the days are surely coming when people will say, “Blessed are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne children, the breasts that have never suckled!” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”; to the hills, “Cover us!” For if this is what is done to green wood, what will be done when the wood is dry?’ -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
Blessed Are the Barren
The early fathers of the church would have had no issue with placing this prophecy into "an orderly account" for Greek listeners. The destruction of Jerusalem had already fulfilled the prophecy when the words were written down.
A Reflection
I would much have preferred to have the lectionary deal out something like "suffer the little children" on this day. It's my sixtieth birthday. Instead, I'm drawing closer to the "kiss between life and eternity," as Israel described the moment of death; it's not a fearsome prospect, but one of interest as my mind conjures up a far greater number of spiritual questions than it did when I was younger and more interested in technical things.
The whole concept of "taking up" my cross, whatever it will be (or perhaps already is?) is one that is of considerable interest. Is it my ministry, my vocation, my avocation, or something else entirely? If I know or feel that I am following Jesus when I am doing it, does that knowledge mean that it is "my cross"?
The Cross as metaphor for a mundane calling seems dramatically over-done. Few of us have the desire, or even the opportunity, to sacrifice our lives at the altar of Truth as Jesus did, or as did the early martyrs.
Yet we are unlike Simon of Cyrene; we turn and run from danger. We cannot abide suffering (and why should we abide needless suffering?), and our moral compasses seem to find a different truth with every situation. I keep telling myself that absolutes are few, and I wonder at those who can slap an absolute truth on just about anything.
Jesus gave us the means to keep the wood green and to avoid having it dry out. Whether we walk with Him, sharing our (or others') burdens with Him, or follow behind Him, carrying the burdens of others, we are spiritually refreshed by His limitless supply of love and blessing and Grace.
A Collect
Father, help us to know and understand when we are given a portion of Jesus' burden, that we may serve Him and you, as you would have us. Amen.
5:33:06 PM 
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