The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing… Luke 4:18-21
These words of Jesus’ sent shock waves through the temple. He was telling them that He was the One they had been waiting for, the long-awaited Messiah.
Last night, I looked out of my kitchen window shortly after Passover had begun at sundown. There it was ~ The Passover Full Moon. It was a cold, clear night; you can see the moonlight reflected off the snow on the forest floor. What you cannot see ~ which seems appropriate~ is the large cross standing in the shadows.
On the night of our Lord’s Last Supper with his disciples, the cross was looming. But first, this. He said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15) Bread. Wine. Body. Blood.
The young woman beamed as she handed each boy a dollar bill. The two children, both physically and mentally challenged, eagerly stuffed their bills into the slot of the Salvation Army kettle as my husband and I stood nearby ringing our bells. We were watching joy unfold close at hand.
This wonder was surpassed only when a very old couple ~ he with missing teeth and a limp, she bent over with age, each fished in their pockets until they found loose change which they fed into the kettle’s slot.
The widow’s mite.
We witnessed these acts of worship while we added our own, shouting out, “Merry Christmas!” to hundreds of people and adding, “Thank you. God bless you,” each time someone made the kettle sing.
We sang. The kettle sang. The givers sang. Heaven sang,
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Better than waking up on Christmas morning is this: waking to glorious snow-wrapped trees and earth blanketed in wet, white skirt. And, there’s more (!): a fresh bag of espresso beans which gives me this perfect cup with steam swirling up to kiss my face.
Abundance midway through Lent.
And God is able to bless you abundantly. II Corinthians 9:8
“As Jesus breathed his last the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. A barrier has been broken, a gate has been opened. We are through at last!” (Malcolm Guite)
Hidden Hollow Prayer Chapel
