Lenten Book, Death on A Friday Afternoon
Contemplate and pray on these things,as Jesus did during his agony in the garden. I think we hear the din of words as a story of so long ago is retold within the loud cultural stories and news of today. Yet the story of Christ's Crucifixion happened over 2,000 years ago and it is happening now. When one is fully present to Jesus' death both then and now...we become fully present to the drama of the love that is central to faith, central to our lives.
....And Jesus said, "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? "Father, save me from this hour?" No, for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify thy name.
In the second chapter, "Judge Not" Neuhaus builds on the foundation of Jesus' first words of forgiveness from the cross and allows that forgiveness and love to encompass ALL, we are ALL called to be reconcilers, intercessors and mediators for men.
"We long for the Good, the True, the Beautiful--communion with the perfect One in whom all the fragments of our scattered existence come together at last and forever. We must not stifle this longing.... Stay with the questions, stay with the mysteries in prayer. Prayer creates space for possibilities that would not otherwise be possible." (p.40,49)
And our prayers must encompass ALL-those we love, those we do not love, those who love God, those who do not love God, those who profess the truth, and those who don't. It is our hope that through prayer all will be reconciled in love.
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