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Famous threeWednesday, January 5, 2011
Mark 6:48-51
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
Sometimes she has to wear a mask, which forces her to breathe oxygen into her lungs. It looks painful. She hates it. When the mask is on, she can't talk much. I look into her eyes to look for what's she's feeling, what she wants. That doesn't work so well. But it's interesting. I often (I'm sure) transfer my own thoughts or feelings or desires to her, since she isn't saying anything. Sometimes I think she's afraid. Is that because I am? Jesus says, "Do not be afraid." It's one of my mantras; I love to listen to him say, "Do not be afraid." I say it to myself, sometimes to others, "Do not be afraid." Facing 353 days before the next Christmas, I feel some fear. I imagine Mom feels afraid of how all this injury and accident will turn out. The disciples were afraid of the ghost walking on the water. In each of these situations, we're misreading and mis-imagining something, so we are afraid. Jesus clears up his disciples' mis-perception and says, "It's me." Change your mind. Change what you think you see. Revisit it with your eyes. See me. I need this visitation when I'm afraid - a word from the Lord to revise my quicktrigger jerk of panic and fear. "Do not be afraid." Then I can slow down, breathe again, turn around and see more of what there is to see. "It's me," Jesus says every time. "I am with you always. Do not be afraid." Your words, Lord, bring me home. I never want to leave, there is nothing more to find ... only to be loved by you. |
Mom is doing better, according to her vital signs and her vitality. Her eyes sparkle, she smiles as best she can, with help she sits up on the side of her bed. She talks to us a little. She seems to be able to hear and understand almost everything.