So this happened: Bible study today at the assisted living--tough crowd. Theres a new guy, comes late, sits in the back--might be disgruntled. I open gently talking about how the multiple occurrences of the exhortation to not be afraid in yesterdays gospel could be a lens through which to begin to understand--he raises his hand and wants to know what the significance of the collar youre wearing is? I explain I am a priest. Silence. We move on to the passage from Romans--go team. I bring up how this is Paul pouring all his heart out to people he hasnt met, striving to explain the glory and mystery of baptism, of sacrament. . .A few nods. I pause, having gotten a bit hoarse from yelling for the failing hearing aids,and say we didnt finish doing names and introductions for the day--learn another gentleman is Greek, and loved to coach basketball, and do all kinds of things at church, the first gentleman allows as how he was raised (Roman) Catholic. A nice lady says she cant hear because she has a cold (which shes had for the 6 weeks weve been meeting so far). Slightly revived, I seek to move us back into Bible study by asking if anyone sees a connection between Pauls vision of baptism/resurrection life and Jesus talking about sparrows and our value to God? The new guys hand goes back up--I think about Paul falling from the horse, and the light, (God forgive me, at this point I think in passing, ok, great youve heard of St. Paul, moving right along. . .). Then he adds--what did he say to the little guy? What did Christ say? Yes. To Paul? The little guy, up the tree! Zaccheus? I need to come to house for dinner, come down from the tree. What a great comparison--he wasnt doing the right thing, just like Paul--and God saw him and chose him--youre right. (I say). He sits back with a huge smile. Then hes right back hand not even up this time--I think of the spear in Christs side, I keep thinking of that. I now feel compelled to tell of the image I had all Lent and Holy Week (sheepish to use words like vision) of Christ holding wide with his hands the wound from the spear, and being able to see all of humanity in the wound. He nods and sighs like hes deeply satisfied, like we understand each other--someone else speaks of how thinking of that wound, and trusting that God sees us, make it easier to forgive, there are a few more comments about the unreliability of hearing aids--but that the company and discussion are enjoyable anyway. There is some giggling about tomorrows Senior Prom. Were finished for today. My collar isnt mentioned again. Our elders are amazing, they need to be treated like grown-ups--and oh, I do get tired some days, but this crazy life is an honor, a privilege, and a blessing beyond description!
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:47:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015