Chaplains' Corner
Judy Pressler
State Chaplain
3011 Halfmoon Valley Road
Port Matilda, PA 16870
(814) 692-5217
jxp2@psu.edu
Coming to the End of Lent
I don’t know about you, but this past month just melted away like some of the snow and ice we finally got here in Centre County. Of course, just when the last little patch of dirty snow was melting, along came another big snow to cover all the dingy earth. Well, so it goes with The Advocate deadline, just as last month’s was done, a new one comes popping up on my screen!I spoke about the beginning of Lent last time, and it seems like the 40-day Lenten period has also just rushed by me. Hopefully you have had a little time for reflection, repentance and renewal in your Christian walk. We may well be in the last week of Lent when you receive your Advocate this month.
Let’s think about some (not all, of course) of the events that happened the last week before the first Easter morning. Only Jesus knew what the next week was going to hold for him, all those around him and all who came after him. Everyone else just went about their business one day at a time.
For instance, on Sunday, he calmly entered Jerusalem riding on the young colt, while the townspeople threw coats and branches down for him to ride on and excitedly shouted all kinds of praise. Children were dancing and singing Hosannas!
During the day on Monday, Jesus “cleaned out” the temple. Imagine the surprise on the faces of the bystanders when Jesus started upsetting tables and seats and reminding them this was a house of prayer! What shocking behavior for this gentle man....another side to him?
At Simon’s house on Tuesday, Mary brought her fine alabaster flask of oil and poured it on Jesus head. Some of his disciples reprimanded her for wasting it when she could have gotten lots of money to give to the poor. Jesus told them she was anointing him before his death (no one paid any attention to him).
Secretly on Wednesday, Judas met with the Jewish rulers who were plotting to kill Jesus. He accepted 30 pieces of silver to betray His Lord and began to wait for an opportunity. Jesus had told the disciples it would be on the second day of Passover (but once again the message went unnoticed).
On Thursday evening, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples in the “upstairs” room. Jesus introduced the memorable “Last Supper” and tried to prepare them for what lay ahead. One would betray him, one would deny him and one would doubt him. After singing a hymn together, they walked to a nearby garden (all except Judas who had slipped out earlier). It was here in the garden after Jesus had prayed that the betrayal took place.
Now, lots of things happened fast on Friday: the trial, the second betrayal by perhaps some of the same people who had cheered him a few days before, the crown of thorns, the huge cross, the long road to the cross, the shameful hanging with two common thieves and the lottery for his clothes! And finally at evening, the burial in a borrowed tomb.
Well, how will you spend this last week before Easter this year?
On Palm Sunday, will you sing loudly and wave your palm branches in the worship service? That’s great!! What will you do with the rest of the day? Visit someone who is lonely or share a meal with a family whose “cook” is sick? Or turn off your “reflect, repent and renewal” feelings until tomorrow? Want to go to the basketball game and out to dinner afterwards.
On Monday, will you take a stand at a township or PTA meeting to protect the resources? Will you pay the taxes you owe? Or will you turn off your “reflect, repent and renewal” plans until tomorrow? Have to work late at the office.
On Tuesday, will you thank someone for helping you? Will you go out of your way to stop some idle gossip? Will you fulfill promises you have made? Or turn off your “reflect, repent and renewal” feelings until tomorrow? Have a meeting and it always runs late.
On Wednesday, will you resist temptations that Satan slips in front of you? Will you think clearly about “good deals” that could have a string attached to them that would compromise your way of thinking? Or turn off your “reflect, repent and renewal” feelings until tomorrow? Want to go to the Mall to shop for new Easter clothes.
On Thursday, will you partake of the Lord’s Supper at church and think about the words you are repeating? Will you be able to pass the peace of Jesus Christ sincerely? Or turn off your “reflect, repent and renewal” feelings until tomorrow and skip church altogether? Am just too tired and have to be at work early tomorrow.
On Friday, will you be able to forgive the person who started a rumor about you? Will you look past someone’s ragged clothes and dirty face and see another child of God? Or turn off your “reflect, repent and renewal” feelings until tomorrow? Missed church today, so I should see if there are any services tonight.
Time is running out. Lent is almost over. These 40 days have indeed slipped by. It is almost time to celebrate the holiest Christian holiday: EASTER MORNING!
It is almost time to embrace the new life that is possible because of everything that has led up to this day: the birth of a baby Jesus on Christmas, thirty years of ministries, the events of the “Holy Week” including the betrayals, disappointments, the shame and mockeries, the crosses, the tomb and the large stone.
Prophecies have been fulfilled. God sacrificed his Only Son to pay for our sins. Jesus Christ arose from the dead. By His grace we can be saved!
You can do it all right now.....reflect, repent and be renewed!!
Come to the end of Lent with a penitent and forgiven heart and a renewed spirit that is healthy and alive!
CELEBRATE THE REASON FOR THE SEASON: HE LIVES!
God Bless You and Your Family on EasterJudy Pressler
P.S. For the rest of the story, see Matt., Mark, Luke or John for details!!