The Journey to Jerusalem passage I have been reading this
week is the story of sibling rivalry among the disciples. Two of the disciples,
brothers, got to talking and decided they deserved to sit on either side of
Jesus in his glory. So, they caught Jesus off to the side and asked if he would
do something for them. He, like any good parent, asked what it was they wanted
before he committed himself to the unknown. They laid their request out and
Jesus’ response was …You don’t know what you are talking about… and then a
question…Are you able to drink my cup and be baptized as I will be? By then the
others caught on to what was happening and got ticked at James and John. Jesus had
a family meeting and laid out the rules. Those who would be first or greatest,
must be servant to all. No lording it over your brothers and sisters.
One of the old hymns drawn from this passage was a favorite
invitation song at Clyattville Baptist Church. “Are ye able, said the Master?”
Most of us, myself included, subscribe to the notion that we are indeed able.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary, most of the time, I live with the
illusion of being in control, able. We live as if our long term care insurance
can stave off the fate that awaits us in our old age. Our children will all
grow up without struggle or pain to become loving, kind geniuses who will change
the world into a better place because we are able parents. My faith will
provide all I need in times of trial and I will triumph eventually because I am
an able Christian. Tarzan chest thumping accompanied by the proudly spoken
words, “I am able” echo James and John’s response to Jesus’ question. And like
them, we know not whereof we speak.
One of my Grandma’s favorite sayings was, “Pride goeth
before a fall”. Often when all is going well in my life, I hear her voice in my
inner ear reminding me not to get too cocky, not to believe in the illusion of
my control, not to think I am the master of my fate. Walk humbly, the prophet
said, not ably. Walk aware that you are not the center of the universe and have
no business lording it over all your brothers and sisters. All of life, trials
and tribulations, laughter and joy, accomplishments and failures, are a gift
and not a result of our ableness, our abilities, our control.
On this lovely sunny daffy down dilly spring day, my heart
leaps in joy, Lord, towards you. In my ignorance and lack of control, I find in
you a resting place. You are my final destination, my home, my safety net when
I stumble and fall from the tightrope that is my life. Have pity on me, Lord,
when I crow like a rooster, proud of what I have done or who I am. I am indeed,
unable to live without your abiding presence to sustain and challenge my limited
knowledge. I love you. Help me to do you proud. Amen.
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