Although a difficult story to read, this leading up to the Passion of Christ, it is at the same time so very beautiful. It begins with Jesus at the table, and whether there was a meal getting ready to be served or the meal had already completed is not important. This makes me think of how many important conversations and events of our daily life take place at the table. The disciples openly wondered about the waste of the ointment and sometimes do we or our children wonder at the “waste” of sitting down to a family meal? As I ponder this thought for my Bible journaling, I’m reminded of the cheap pizza and salad with glasses of sweet tea we shared with our neighbor last night. The meal wasn’t the important part…the time spent together was.
You know, with all the ways God made Man could have done this or that, He chose a meal, the Last Supper, as a way to spend time with His apostles. During that meal, the beloved disciple John, rested on our Lord–literally rested on our Lord. Our Lord washed the feet of His beloved, as one more example of His ever serving love. He then instituted the Eucharist and the sacred priesthood…over a shared meal. There was tension when He spoke of a betrayer and rousing denials of any future wrong doing. A real honest to goodness meal you all. Now how important does family meal time seem?
During it, we have time to rest with our loves. Yes, rest and yes, even with toddlers. Rest is relative and may look like cutting meat and wiping up spills depending on the average age at your table. We mommas are able to serve our loves once again. Yes, I know we serve them all day long doing this and that…but here is another opportunity. I have read a couple of stories over the years across the world wide web about various tragedies involving sweet mommas–cancer, plane crashes, death, illness…at some point in each of these stories, these mommas say they just wanted to to be home making dinner for their family. They wanted to be let back into the ordinary act of just making a meal and serving their family. How’s that for perspective?
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 26
P –Lord, I’m getting lost and frustrated in the daily; it’s ordinarily hard. This life of large family living and homeschooling is not easy. As a matter of fact, it’s downright frustrating some days. I do not want to be the poster child for “You shouldn’t have so many children” and “The school system is the best place for your kids.” So I keep the frustrations to myself. I know You called me to this…You want me to do this…I need to rely on Your strength to do this. Amen and over and out…I feel much better after that little informal prayer. Thanks God.
O –This chapter is so very beautiful. It’s the Eucharist you all! Jesus very clearly says what He means to say when he states, “This is My Body,” and then “This is My Blood.” If He meant it as a symbol, He would have said it was a symbol.
W —vs 58…”But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.”
E –Here’s how I envision this passage, “How closely do I follow You Lord?”
R –I don’t want to follow You from a distance waiting to see how things are going to go down. Um, been there–done that already and things went down badly. So I pray again, I need Your strength as I make my way through this valley of tears.
Please leave your POWERful reflections in the comments
deb00 says
P- Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
0- Jesus had to feel extremely lonely, unloved, like know one was listening or hearing Him, as the disciples felt anointing Him was a waste of good oil, one of his chosen 12 plots to turn Him over to the chief priest with a kiss, His 3 closest apostles fall asleep when He asks them to watch with Him as he prays, most scatter when He’s arrested, one denies him 3x’s and He is falsely accused, mocked,and beaten.
W-Mt. 26:40-41 Could you not keep watch with me for 1 hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
E- How many times have i not spoke up for Jesus? betrayed Him by my sins? Failed to be with Him in prayer? scattered when i could have been helping Him disguised in my fellow man?
4- Lord give me the courage to live my Faith OUTLOUD!!!!
deb00 says
Amen! jenny