Compulsion

Thursday, April 9, 2009 -- Maundy Thursday

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 956)
Psalms 102 (morning) 142, 143 (evening)
Jeremiah 20:7-11
1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:27-32
John 11:1-11(12-26)

Sometimes we feel an inner compunction that compels us to action. I'm not talking about the kind of compulsions that are unhealthy and destructive. I'm talking about those things we have to do because our conscience drives us. We see something that is wrong -- some injustice or dishonesty -- and we must act. We see some suffering, and we must respond. Our heart is moved by some need, and we act. Often there is a cost involved. Most things worth doing exact a toll, even if it is only time. Sometimes they provoke conflict or even danger.

Jeremiah has been given the bitter task to speak unwelcome news of judgment and condemnation. He meets resistance and mockery. He complains to God about his lose-lose situation. If he speaks, he becomes isolated from his community and faces life-threatening risks. But if he ceases to speak, then, he says, "within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones." He can't hold it back.

He faces either the terror within provoked by God's speaking to his conscience, or the terror without created by the hostility that his words provoke. He commits his charge with God. He trusts that God will be with him "like a dread warrior" to prevent his defeat.

We see Jesus moved deeply at the death of Lazarus. "He whom you love is ill." To return to Judea to see Lazarus means to risk death. There are those in Judea who intend to stone him for blasphemy. But Jesus insists, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him." We know the rest of the story in John's gospel. The raising of Lazarus will be the act that tips the hand of Jesus' enemies. They will determine to kill him. Thomas understands the risk. "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

Something inside Jesus compels him toward this action. Unlike Jeremiah, who trusted God and was spared, this action will cost Jesus his life. God will not save him from painful punishment and death. The storm clouds gather.

I find the Eucharist compelling. There is something transforming about the ritual meal by which we participate in the life of Jesus. In this sacrament I experience union with God through Jesus, a sense of personal coherence, union with those who share this mystical food, and by extension, union with the entire creation. As Paul says in today's reading, "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Yet Paul warns us to be conscious as we participate in this profound act. "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup." The Eucharist may be the most profound act that we do as humans. It demands our alert consciousness and our willing conscience.

Tonight is the night of Jesus' betrayal. Tonight we remember when he took the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples; we remember when he took the wine and shared it as a participation in his life and death.

Life and death matters. God compels us into these things.

Wake up. Take heart.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas