Inspiration

“Are you Brother Bo?” asked the nervous fiftyish woman. I was peacefully seated, waiting for the prayer meeting to start when this frenzied lady appeared before me.

“Uh…gee…,”I stammered, “I don’t know. What will you do to me if I say yes?”

“Oh my gosh! You are him!” she cried aloud. She started jumping up and down, her hands shaking.

“Ma’am, whatever you’re accusing me of, I didn’t do it!”

“Brother Bo, I’m Liza, and ever since I read KERYGMA, I’ve always dreamt of seeing you face-to-face…and here you are!

Oh my goodness…” her breath caught in her throat, “I think I’m going to die!”

“No please, don’t! Not here! They’ll think I did it.”

“Brother Bo, can I just touch you?”

“What?!”

“Just one slight tiny touch, “she pleaded, “perhaps your holiness will rub off on me.. ” Her trembling forefinger was now poised a loft, ready to touch me on my right shoulder. Believe me, I had never felt so creepy in my entire life. Suddenly, I felt like an ancient relic being venerated.

I stood up abruptly. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Liza.”

“But…” Her face turned pale and totally devastated.

I opened my arms wide and smiled my best smile. “But can I give you a warm hug instead?”

It felt good giving her the hug.

When Liza left, I sat down and the truth hit me in a fresh way: God’s Love. All we needed was a touch. But He decided to give us much more. On the First Good Friday ever, He opened His arms on the Cross.

And that was the greatest embrace of all time.

from The BOSS (Thank God it ain’t me!) by Bo Sanchez
a Kerygma Collection Book published by Shepherd’s Voice Publications,Inc.

Jesus went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley where there was a garden
John 18:1

At home, we keep an olive branch with its fruits and leaves intact preserved in a bottle. It also preserves our memories of the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem which we found out was actually an orchard of olive trees.

In that pilgrimage, we burned our letter petitions to God. It had been more than 10 years since then and not all my petitions were answered. I know now why. I figured that some must have been self-willed.

In a way, Jesus had a similar problem at the Garden. He knew the difficult things to come and His human part agonized and wavered. But in the end, He said, Not my will; but yours.

The Passion of the Christ fittingly chose to start with the scene in the Garden. There, victory was won when Jesus submitted to the Fathers will. From there, Jesus overcame the pain in the way of the cross and the crucifixion.

The spiritual battle always starts in the mind. When we say yes to the Fathers will, the battle is won. Rolly E.

REFLECTION: Do I seek the holy will of God when I pray?

Father, not my will but yours be done.

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 (NIV)

As I watched the XX Winter Olympics, I couldn’t help but wonder about some of the athletes and the pain and suffering they have endured over the years. Most longed just to have one slight chance to stand upon a podium surrounded by others like them, adorned with a precious medal and having the world proclaim that they are “Number One!”

I think of the many snowboarders, skiers, ice skaters and lugers and the interviews conducted with each of them. A typical competitor might reveal that they’ve had several broken bones, nine surgeries, two concussions and a whole lot of “minor” injuries over the years of hard work, training and competing. For many, these injuries have been enormous and the physical pain and rehabilitation necessary to come back and perform again, almost inconceivable.

Why would these athletes risk their lives, in some respect, just for a split second where they can step into the spotlight of glory? Is it really worth it? As I thought about this question, I remembered recently watching a snowboard cross race where American Seth Wescott gritted out a dramatic finish and won by the nose of his board. When the mile-long smile crossed his beaming face and he lifted an American flag high above his head, in that very special moment, he knew he was the best. All of the endless hours of preparation, the brokenness of his body, and the hurt from critical words of those who criticized him, led up to that moment in the sun. And, YES, it was worth it.

Now, think back more than two thousand years ago to a lonely cross on a hill called Golgotha. It wasn’t an athlete that day, but a sinless and perfect man whose body was being beaten beyond recognition. His beard was savagely pulled out of His face and the pain from the nine-inch nails being slammed into His wrists must have been unbearable. Many surrounded Him and called Him terrible, degrading and unspeakable names. He was “adorned” with a disfiguring crown of thorns as they continued to hurl insult after insult at Him. He courageously endured the pain and the suffering intended for Him before the beginning of time.

As He fought to breathe His last breath and felt the fading sunshine against His brow, He called out to His Father in heaven and said “It is Finished.” Then, His loving Father, as He looked into the eyes of the many souls that would be saved, and with tears streaming down His Holy face agreed, “yes, my beloved Son, it is finished.”

And, at that moment in time, we now know that Jesus did what He had to do because WE were worth it! And, that very special “We” includes You!

Contributed by Diane Check: calvarycheck@comcast.net Diane has enjoyed writing short morning “thoughts for the day” for associates at her insurance company for the past few years. She lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with her husband and son. She is currently working on her first prayer devotional.