Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.“ Matthew 26:47-49
I was at an off-island coffee shop recently enjoying a Saturday morning with Felicia. At the service counter I ordered an Americano for my bride and a vanilla latte for me. The smiling barista said, “Got it. Take a seat sir and we will bring it to you.” We sat down and chatted, laughing at text stream photos of our grandchildren dressed in Halloween attire. Table by table orders were delivered. We waited and waited. Finally, the waiter came our way and delivered an Americano and a cappuccino. Not a latte, but also not a big deal. “Is this a vanilla cappuccino?” I asked. She informed me that she was not the barista, but there was no vanilla in the cappuccino. She promised to return right away, making it right. Felicia enjoyed her Americano, the waiter never returned. It was disappointing, an unfortunate first world problem. It might make me think twice before returning to the coffee shop, but my feelings were not hurt. There was nothing personal or intimate in the encounter.
The same day, I was with a woman from our parish who recalled an unfortunate interaction with a member of her family. There was passion, anger even, as she described this painful event, an event which took place nearly 30 years ago. She still was not over it; it is likely that she will never be over it. Keep in mind that the family member who was the offender had long forgotten this moment in time. The barista, the ferry worker or the grocery clerk may inconvenience my day, but they will quickly slip into the forgotten file cabinets of my memory. They simply do not have the capacity to hurt my feelings, they will not take up permanent residency in my mind. Their miscue lacks power because it lacks intimacy.
When Jesus was dying on the cross the great Rabbi continued to teach. He gathered his energy, took just enough oxygen into lungs ravaged with pulmonary edema and said, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” It was a word for all humans; it was a word of wisdom for us. The betrayal that Jesus experienced was intimate, a kiss from Judas sent him to his death. The disciples whose feet he had just washed soon hid in the darkness leaving Jesus alone to die. But Jesus would not take anger and bitterness to his death. He released the poison of sins retained, he spoke words of grace, he moved on refusing to hold on to the intimate betrayal of others.
2000 years later the great theologian Ted Lasso said, “You know what the happiest animal on earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? Got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish, Sam.” Might we be healthier and happier if we just let go of the intimate betrayals? If you are waiting for them to say they are sorry, well, that apology might be like my vanilla latte; never coming. There are consequences for actions, so I may not return to the coffee shop and the woman mentioned above may not put herself in a position to be hurt by her family member again. But keeping bitterness, anger, or a vengeful thought inside the temple that is our body is self-destructive and counter to God’s desire for us.
So, be like a goldfish my friends, the happiest animal on earth. Get rid of the old baggage and just keep on swimming. So, who is it? Whose memory resides in a cell in your brain waiting to ignite your anger and raise your blood pressure? Father forgive them, for even if they knew what they were doing, it is doing me no good to carry them with me for even one more day.
One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
rvlindus@whidbey.com
