For the Living of These Days, 3

When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51) So Luke foreshadows that this trip to Jerusalem "will not end well" by human standards. Immediately along the way he is rejected by Samaritans, and also welcomed by a number of well-meaning people who had not counted the cost of following. (Contrast Thomas, who later, in another context and another gospel, famously suggested "Let us also go, that we may die with him." John 11:16) Jesus addressed one of these wanna-be disciples with these arresting words: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

The prayer which is today's seasonal hymn reminds us that these are days to consider the plowing ahead of us as we follow Jesus to Jerusalem.

Eternal Lord of love, behold your Church
walking once more the pilgrim way of Lent,
led by your cloud by day, by night your fire,
moved by your love and toward your presence bent:
Far off yet here - the goal of all desire.
   So daily dying to the way of self,
   so daily living to your way of love,
   we walk the road, Lord Jesus, that you trod,
   knowing ourselves baptized into your death:
   So we are dead and live with you in God.
If dead in you, so in you we arise,
you the first-born of all the faithful dead;
and, as through stony ground the green shoots break,
glorious in springtime dress of leaf and flower,
so in the Father's glory shall we wake.

Thomas H. Cain, 1982 (c) 1982

meter: 10 10 10 10 10

All our seasonal worship points to, is informed by, and properly includes the confident hope of Resurrection. Jesus knew that was before him, beyond the cross. And it is our great hope as well. Resurrection morning is but the capstone of our year. The real glory is still ahead of us!

Sing on!