On the Road to Emmaus...

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: lds.org

THE EMMAUS TRIPTYCH

Luke 24:13-35

I. THE UNNAMED FRIEND

Cleopas and friend walked and talked

with lumbering gaits and downcast faces

shining hopes of sweet redemption

dashed and obliterated

They asked of each other the Why question

for if anyone had come to fill those old prophecies

surely it had seemed to be Him

that Jesus they'd come to know

through signs and wonders

that appeared to be miraculous

Their so-called Messiah had been crucified

was dead and gone. Yes, gone, gone, gone!

Even His cold dead body was missing

from the tomb that had been sealed—

He approached them

in the midst of their perplexity

on the road to Emmaus

He walked with them, talked with them

they even felt His fire

but didn't know who He was

and strange as that may seem

how often have I been

the unnamed friend of Cleopas?

I, too, profess to know Him, know Him well

yet fail to recognize Him along the road

II. THE STRANGER

Taking the barley loaf in his hands

the stranger lifted it

Baruch ata Adonai

Eloheynu Melech ha Olam

ha motzie lechem

min ha'aretz

He tore it, offered it, and just as it fell

into reaching grasps

their astonished eyes recognized Him

and in that instant

He utterly vanished from their sight!

Leaping from the table, Cleopas and his friend

stumbled over each other

looking under, over, around and around

knowing even as they did

it was True after all

As they looked at each other

their disbelief became relief

the sweet awakening of a deep Belief

for Truth visited them along the way

joined them at their table, broke their humble bread

They asked each other

Were not our hearts burning

as He talked with us on the road

and opened the Scriptures to us?

Now, blazing temples of Holy Fire

they suddenly knew their once shattered hearts

would never cool again

III. MY EMMAUS

When I first found You, or You found me

I thought I'd go from strength to strength

pinnacle to pinnacle, joy to joy

and so it was for a season

when love was new

then the whirlwind came

thrashing through my world

upending all my securities

leaving me stunned, broken, alone

certain I would die

so I waited for You to save me

waited for prayers pleaded at Your scarred feet

to avail their just reward

for I believed in You, trusted, hoped

Eyes veiled, I couldn't find You

failed to recognize You along the road

Had I believed in vain?

Then You began to speak

not audibly, but  whenever I opened Your Word

Radiance, Glory, Unfailing Love

sprang from the page and became manifest

My heart blazed! I began to shine!

Now, on the other side of sorrow

I dare not forget my burning heart,

Your Glorious Presence

so I abide, remembering

it is You, my Jesus

Who walks with me along the road

Maude Carolan

It's Not About the Bunny...

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

A few weeks ago I saw a little plaque in Hobby Lobby that said, "It's not about the bunny...It's about the Lamb!" I held it in my hand and should have purchased it, but didn't. Last week I went to my favorite chocolatier, Bromilow's, to buy chocolate lambs for the family, like I do every Easter. There were no lambs in the store, so I asked why. I was told that they don't sell and that people want bunnies, not lambs. Fortunately, they expected I would come and had a box of lambs poured, put aside, and waiting for me in the basement. I thought about that plaque in Hobby Lobby and regretted not buying it. Today I called my daughter, Kristin. She just happened to be in Hobby Lobby. I told her my story and this very darling daughter immediately bought the plaque with the great Easter message for me...

It's not about the bunny...

It's about the Lamb!

Image credit: speaktomecatalog.com

A BETTER IDEA

It's a better idea than spring baskets,

with jelly beans, mallows and bows;

it's far better than flowery straw bonnets,

Mary Janes and brand new clothes,

a much better idea than bunnies and chicks,

eggs painted pink, purple, blue…

This time let us give our sweet children

an Easter gift that will ring true.

Let’s give a plush lamb, all spotless and pure

and tell them Jesus is its name…

Tell them Jesus is the Hope of the World

and Easter's the reason He came.

Tell them God's Son is sinless and meek

He's the unblemished Passover Lamb;

tell them He died on Calvary's Cross

to save sinners. He's the great I Am.

Tell them that on the first Easter morning

Lamb Jesus arose from the grave –

and that is why in their tiny hands

is the soft little lamb that you gave.

Tell them Lord Jesus loves them so much

that He wants to be their Best Friend.

Their little lamb will remind them of Him

after Resurrection Day ends.

Tell them chocolate bunnies, bonnets, and beans

are okay, but not the best part –

the best part of Easter is Jesus, the Lamb,

Who came to live in their hearts!

Maude Carolan

Mary Magdalene's Story...

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Painting by J. Kirk Richards
LDSLIVING.COM

IT’S NO WONDER

It’s no wonder

Mary of Magdala

traveled with Rabboni

and the twelve

and helped

support His mission

She was a woman on fire

with love and gratitude

a woman freed

of seven snarling demons

It’s no wonder

despite trepidation

she watched at a distance

as they nailed her Great One

to a wretched cross

cupping her ears, wailing

at each resonating hammerfall

No wonder

she drew near

as He hung

in the agony of dying

for being there

was better

than not being there

Mary, bereft

looked upon her Rabboni

as they took Him

from the beams

laid His powerless Body

in the tomb

and rolled a great round stone

across the entrance

separating Him from her

before the sun went down

that Good and terrible Friday

and it’s no wonder

she was back at dawn

the morning after Sabbath

with other ministering women

carrying spices

heedless of who

would roll the stone away

But the tomb was open

and the women trembled

as an angel astounded them

with talk of rising

Bewildered

Mary ran to the apostles

but it’s no wonder

she returned

to grieve near the tomb,

wanting to be

where last He was

A stranger, the gardener?

inquired of her weeping

"Sir," she implored

"if you have carried Him away

tell me where you have put Him

and I will get Him"

"Mary…"

"Rabboni!"

Astonished, she reflexively

reached for Him…

"Do not cling to Me"

He told her

"for I have not yet ascended

to My Father"

Oh, it’s no wonder

it was she He entrusted

to bring the news

to the brethren

No wonder

she ran, stumbling over rocks

and potsherd

dashing through brush

and brambles

raising tufts of dust

eager to exclaim

breathless with jubilation

"I have seen

the Lord!"

Maude Carolan

About Pontius Pilate...

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

PILATE’S IRONY

During my first pilgrimage to Israel

archeologist and guide, Micha Ashkenazi

took us to Caesarea to view a replica

of a piece of limestone

partially inscribed with the name Pontius Pilatus

Micha had been a member of the team

that unearthed the stone there

during a dig in 1961

It is the only evidence

of the historical existence

of the Roman governor

outside the New Testament

and writings of Josephus Flavius

Interesting, Pilate, who may have given

a modicum of credence to his wife’s warning

to have nothing to do with Jesus

did make an abysmal effort

to prevent the crucifixion

by setting Barabbas

before the riled multitude

When the crowd shouted to free Barabbas

and called for death to Jesus

their chants of

Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

drummed in his ears

Pilate asked for a basin of water

He washed his hands in front of them—

as if water could possibly cleanse him

of responsibility for what would happen next

The irony is that even now

thousands of years hence

contempt for this man is as clear

as his name etched in stone—

for wherever believers gather

and proclaim their creed

Jesus…

suffered under Pontius Pilate

was crucified, dead and buried…

Pilate’s guilt is an indelible stain

that can never be

washed from our minds

Maude Carolan Pych

"Jesus Laughed"

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: thesoundingboardteachingministries.com

JESUS LAUGHED

Each of us has our own concept of Jesus—

As for me, I like to think He laughed a lot

Yes, I picture Jesus throwing his head back

with a wide winsome smile

and laughing heartily from the gut

and I think He did it often

I know it doesn’t say so in Scripture

but still, I imagine the One

Who hung out with the twelve

shared some mighty amusing stories

around the campfire on starry summer evenings

I figure He even occasionally bore the brunt

of good natured razzing by the brethren

as they passed around roasted fish

and barley loaves on the shore of the Galilee

A guest at parties and weddings

Jesus was actually accused

of being a winebibber and glutton

He wouldn’t have received

those kinds of invitations

and that kind of reputation

if He had been solemn and grim

and speaking of wine, I’m quite certain

no somber individual would have

turned H2O into the fruit of the vine

so a wedding feast could proceed

with expected merrymaking and

no embarrassment for the host

Oh! I’m sure Jesus was great fun to be with—

that mothers handed babies to Him

that He kissed them, blessed them

chucked their chins and tickled their tummies

causing them to giggle and coo

I picture children climbing up on His lap

and being bounced on His knees

as He told stories about Jonah and Daniel

I’ll bet He even tossed a leather ball

back and forth with the neighborhood lads

and when someone approached Him

with despair and grief and longing

my mind’s eye sees Him

wrapping His loving arms around

the one in need—

turning sorrow into hope

Oh! It’s true, Jesus got plenty stirred up

with righteous indignation—

even knocked over vendor tables

in the Temple courts

and vented his anger vehemently

at hypocritical Pharisees

but this was the world His Father created

and loved so much

that He sent Him here

to save

Yes, I’m sure He laughed a lot

in spite of the fact

the dreaded Cross stood before Him

because He knew His mission

and of the joy to come

Indeed, the joy

for what He would accomplish for us

was already in Him

Yes, Jesus knew there was a time to laugh

and a time for anger

as well as a time to weep

Oh! I am touched by His humanity—

No wonder I love Him

Maude Carolan Pych

Mary of Bethany

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: pottypadre.com

LIKE MARY, AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Lord, I’ve come to curl up

close to Your sandals

like Mary of Bethany

my ears primed

to absorb each word You speak

I’ve tuned out concerns

that would pull me

from this footstool

and will not be bothered

by deeds or distractions

that would drown Your voice

If Martha insists

on doing busy-work

she must do it alone

for nothing is more important to me

than sitting right here

right now, with You

and I will wail

at Your sacred feet

like Mary of Bethany

when my strength falters –

I shall wrap my quivering arms

around Your sturdy ankles

allow my tears to run in rivulets

down Your dusty feet –

stir You to weep, too

till resurrection happens

but especially, Lord

I long to anoint Your precious feet

like Mary of Bethany

and come with all that I have

as she, bearing nard

for I, too, yearn to soothe

with pure, lavish fragrance

the calloused heels and soles

toes and arches

I, too, know well –

the very feet that carried Good News

to my ears and heart –

beautiful feet, bleeding feet

pierced through for me

I shall unpin my hair, humbly

like Mary of Bethany

take Your dust

as diamonds, upon me

I desire to be, unto you, Lord

a sweet aroma

and if I be scolded, as was she

by one who couldn’t possibly understand

so be it

so be it

Maude Carolan Pych

"Father, Forgive Them"

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: hoshanahrabbah.org

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM

It’s Good Friday

and I’m doing what I usually do—

meditating on the Cross

and then writing a poem

Today I am thinking about forgiveness

and unforgiveness

thinking one of the things

that makes me marvel about Jesus

is that He looked down

upon the very men who mocked Him

the ones who scourged Him

who spat in His innocent face

then crowned Him with a twisted ring of thorns

and drove nails through His hands and feet

Yes, He looked at them

with unfathomable mercy

in His unspeakable agony

and implored His Father

…forgive them

for they know not what they do

Then I think of myself

of injustices done to me

by people I’ve loved

people I’ve tried to forgive

and have forgiven

then taken back my forgiveness

over and over and over again

I’ve mulled over life’s unfairness

replayed injustices, feeling righteous

feeling justified

then am reminded (like today)

that all have sinned

so I let go and forgive again

and really want to

for God has forgiven me

so who am I

to remember puny injustices

against myself

Today, Jesus, as I meditate upon Your love

and the magnitude of Your sacrifice

my old wounds are infinitesimal

I don’t want to harbor them

anymore

I’m asking for Your help

this Good Friday afternoon

Help me let it all go—

forever

Maude Carolan Pych

THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: thepowertogetwealth.com

BETTER FOR HIM HAD HE NOT BEEN BORN

“…But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man!

It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Matt 26:24b (NIV)

He controlled the money bag

dipped into the money bag

dipped with Jesus at table

mingled with Him

chewed the fat

as they roasted fish

along the shore of the Galilee

Judas watched Him heal

the blind and lame

even raise the dead

was there when He fed

hungry multitudes

calmed a raging squall

and walked billow to billow

upon the storm-tossed sea

He heard Him teach

beatitudes, parables

even how to pray

observed His tenderness

as children climbed

upon His lap

observed His mercy

to those who sinned much

The day Mary anointed Jesus’ feet

with extravagant nard

and dried them

with her unpinned hair

it was he who complained

the perfume should have been sold

the money given to the poor—

yes, it was he, holder

of the purse strings

When this same apostle agreed

to betray his master

for a handful of silver

did he think

the Miracle Worker

would somehow slip away

unscathed, as He had

the day He was driven

out of the synagogue

by an angry mob

intent on throwing Him

off a cliff

Woe to the mercenary

betrayer of the Son of Man

…Mammon had always been

his greater god

Their final evening

at the Paschal meal

the Master stooped

to wash filth

from His betrayer’s feet

Judas partook of the Bread

drank of the Wine

and when Jesus dipped a morsel

and gave it to him

from His very own hand

the taker took that, too

Later, in the garden

following Jesus’ great travail

Judas approached Him

with armed cohorts

called Him, “Rabbi”

kissed his face

still damp with blood and sweat

as the Rabbi called him, “Friend”

The word echoed

echoed, echoed

in thunderous

heartbeats

till he flung

the tarnished coins

through temple doors

till he tied

a ragged noose around his neck

and hanged his wretched self

from a jutting twisted limb

Maude Carolan