Doubt
Doubt
‘Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.’ John 19: 38-42 NIV
So the disciples went home…and waited…and wondered…what is going to happen to them, and their…
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Good Friday
‘As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means, ‘the place of the skull’). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they placed the written charge against him; this is Jesus, the king of the jews.’ Matthew 27: 32-37. NIV
‘From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachtani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah.’ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27: 45-50. NIV
It is a beautiful day in Carbondale, Illinois. I enjoyed a lovely walk on the campus of SIUC and relished the freedom to do so in our world’s time of great suffering due our 2020 pandemic. It is pay-day Friday…and millions of hard working people are not only not able to draw their paycheck…but they also have no cash reserves…not due to poor planning but because that they require every penny, and then some, that they earn to pay the rent and keep the lights on and buy a little groceries. Thousands are lining up at Food Banks and Pantry’s…and they are running out of food.
Over 6 million Americans applied for unemployment this week…and the total stands at over 10%, thus far. Our government has an over 2 trillion dollar stimulus program and the promise of $1,200 dollar checks.. that are yet to be sent to most of our citizenry…but that does nothing for today…when the cupboard is bare…and the children are crying from hunger…
The light in the darkness is the love that we see exhibited by our fellow travelers on this rocky and winding path of life. The Biblical path of Christ included his betrayal and his brutal death. The scripture says that the common people heard him gladly. When I look for Jesus…I look for him in his creation. I have never had a vision of angels nor a verbal conversation with God…where I heard his voice with my ears…but I have seen his love in the care and concern of my brothers and sisters in the human family.
When I see the nurses and doctors and medial professionals, risk their live to save ours…I see Jesus.
When I see the grocery store cashiers and warehouse men and women, who provide for our health and ensure that we do not starve…I see Jesus.
When I see the precious housekeeping staffs, the unseen and unheralded heroes of our sanitation safety…who’s work protects us all from the Coronavirus…I see Jesus.
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Sacrifice — The Jazz Man
‘And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.’ And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same […]
‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’
‘When a UFO lands in Washington, DC bearing a message For Earth’s leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klattu’s soft spoken robot that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers.’ Rotten Tomatoes
The title of the 1951 film reminds me, somewhat, of our present day circumstances as we have retreated to our homes and shuttered our businesses…and our economy has come to a sudden and abrupt halt. If the pandemic has provided us with any benefit…it has given us time to think. People are reacting in India as they can see the Himalayas, that are over 100 miles away, for the first time in decades due to less air pollution. I regularly see families walking on the campus of Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale. Our typical frenetic pace has become slow and measured and thoughtful.
It is the year of a presidential election…but most of us are more focused on our 2020 pandemic and the health and safety of our loved ones. Political rhetoric rings hollow…in the face of our imminent mortality. We ask ourselves what is, truly, important to our well being and happiness? Is it a Caribbean cruise…or a trip to Europe…or a summer home in a warmer climate. Or is it the security of our friends and neighbors…and the human family? Is it really vital and essential to be the wittiest or the one who can attract a crowd…if the words that you say are hollow, or designed to manipulate your listeners…for your benefit?
I saw a television preacher, this morning, who pursed his lips and blew his breath and announced that he had blown the Coronavirus out of our country. He went on to explain that he, ‘did not even have to blow very strongly.’
There is a saying, ‘this too will pass,’ and we will return to our lives of going where we want and staying until we want to return home. Will we recall that the heroes of our travail were not the rich and famous…but the poor and hard working…essential…employees who cared for us…when we could not care for ourselves? Will we realize that the Barons of Wall Street have but one goal…that is to become richer with our money? Will we consider that the mother’s milk for political life…is getting re-elected? Will we know that many preachers…have the same goal as the Wall Street crowd? Will the competition that we engage in for almost all perks of western society…seem like a wonderful multi-layered cake with beautiful icing and ornate design…be bitter in our mouths when we cut into it…and it is filled with saw-dust?
In, The Day The Earth Stood Still, the alien, Klaatu, addressed a team of Earth’s scientist as he spoke of the giant robot, Gort, that accompanied him to Earth. ‘In matters of aggression we have given them absolute power over us. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We will be waiting for your answer.’ Klaatu and Gort re-enter the saucer and depart.’ Wikipedia
So, now we are living in the reality, in real time, of the sudden and total change of our way of life. After much suffering and death and sadness…we will have the opportunity to return to a new normal…what will it be…
‘Its A Wonderful Life’
‘Its A Wonderful Life’
As we travel through this mystery called life, we are discovering that we all are important, and we are needed, and we are vital to the health and safety and welfare of, countless fellow members of our human family. When I walk through a market and see the precious staff working faithfully, for my benefit, I think…what would I do if they decided that the risk is just to great…and stayed home? Two Walmart workers near Chicago have died of the Coronavirus. My family’s welfare is dependent on these courageous souls…and without them…we can not survive!
I know nurses…I have nurses in my family…they are heroes. Hospitals and emergency rooms are battlefields, with an invisible enemy. The troops in these dangerous settings, are fighting without the necessary PPE. How many of us would endanger our safety by entering a room that is full of Coronavirus…without the necessary coverings…or for that…
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Looking Forward to 36
A great, Birthday 🎂 Blog, from Jonathon Brooks!
I believe in celebrating life daily. Pessimism need not pester me. Melancholy can go to hell. I press on against depression. Life is beautiful. There are many detours in our lives that can cause us to lose sight of its beauty. I hope and I pray if we take these detours we soon get back on the right path.
Friendships greatly enrich my life. I’ve aimed to be as pleasant and as kind as I can possibly be for many years now. All of my adult life I’ve persevered to be the change I desire to see in our troubled world. To be a good man has been the number one goal in my life’s story. Goodness has won me many great friends. For this I rejoice and am remarkably thankful.
We all get one day out of each year that is all about us. What do we do with…
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There Is No Courage…Without Fear
There is No Courage…Without Fear.
‘John Prine, Who Chronicled the Human Condition in Song, Dies at 73,’ said the New York Times article headline.
‘The unassuming Prine never had a hit single or a blockbuster album. But he built a devoted following, won several Grammys and overcame two bouts of cancer to record and tour into his 70s.’
‘Other musicians revered him and covered him and covered many of his songs, which wrung wry, universal truths from everyday life. Johnny Cash, in his memoir, named Prine as one of his key songwriting inspirations. Bob Dylan, in a 2009 interview, said ‘Prine’s stuff is pure Proustian existentialism…and he writes beautiful songs. Rolling Stone once called him, ‘the Mark Twain of American songwriting.’ CNN
We look for a clean and concise answer. We seek a rationale and logical construct to place this hideous disease into. Some say for us to follow the science. Other tell us…
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Let’s Not Settle for Sorrow
Please enjoy a tremendous Jonathon Brooks, blog.
Depression is complicated and often misunderstood. I have been depressed before because of my own moral failures. This sort of depression does not require medicine for healing. No, it requires perhaps an apology and a personal desire for me to be a better version of myself next time. Then there is sadness, or depression, that comes around because of life events that are outside of our control. An example of this would be when a grandmother or grandfather passes away from old age. I’ve spent a great amount of my life’s story analyzing depression because I have manic depression (bipolar disorder).
I am a joyful and happy man. I rejoice amidst the odds of manic-depressive illness stacked against me. The happiest people choose to be happy and to fight for their joyful worldview.
Although I will be honest right now and state, as we all already know, that some majorly…
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When There Is Danger In Grocery Shopping!
So, MJ told me this morning that we would compile a list of grocery needs that would take us through April…and that there would be none of, our customary habit of making multiple trips to the market, for a few essentials on a daily basis. I am the designated shopper for the Brooks household. I affixed my mask to my face…and began my safari. MJ is an efficient shopper…I am easily distracted by shiny objects and unique opportunities…and cookies….
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They’re were many more masks, today, and they are of sundry varieties and materials. Some folks appear to be outlaws from the old west. Others look like doctors and nurses…while a few appear to be wearing a garment around their mouth and nose that was not intended for that area of their body.
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The Surgeon General told us, on Sunday, that this week would be very sad and likened it to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. If the idea was to enhance the fear factor…he succeeded!
The Prime Minster of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, entered hospital, last evening, for persistent Coronavirus symptoms, and today has been placed in the intensive care unit due to those symptoms worsening.
Queen Elizabeth gave a masterful speech to the United Kingdom, yesterday, and displayed all of the excellent traits and the perfect words and sentiments for comfort and hope, in our 2020 pandemic.
I wrote our pastor, Kerry, a note yesterday, regarding his great sermons of hope and direction through this pandemic crisis. The Scripture tells us: ‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ Proverbs 25:11 KJV
It has been said, words matter, and never more so than now. Mixed messages and the extension of false hope in a drug that has not been tested, scientifically, is cruel… and cold comfort to families with a dying loved one.
During the first days of the World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the citizens of the United Kingdom, ‘We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.’ House of Commons, June 4, 1940
‘In his speech, Churchill had to describe a great military disaster, and warn of a possible invasion attempt by the Nazis, without casting doubt on eventual victory. He also had to prepare his domestic audience for France’s falling out of the war without in any way releasing France to do so…’ Wikipedia
I was waiting in a long cashier’s line…where other people like myself…had been likeminded in purchasing enough groceries for April. A kind cashier motioned me over to her, 20 items or less line, and cheerfully concluded my visit to Wall-Mart. We can all get through this difficult time…’with a little help from our friends.’
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Magnified Living
Magnified Living
So, we attended virtual church, this morning. Through the utility of Zoom…there was pastor Kerry preaching a powerful sermon, and Kathy playing, masterfully, a beautiful hymn, and Carlyn singing a lovely and uplifting song. I could see my fellow congregants, smiling and in little boxes, and I reflected on the significance of our shared time together.
I am still enjoying my daily walks, as I heard our governor’s medical advisor say this afternoon that it was important for people to get outside…for their mental health. I am addicted to snapping as many photos as I can of the beautiful spring blossoms on the campus trees. The brilliance and vibrance of their, coat of many colors, is inspirational to me…in the darkness of our 2020 pandemic.
I was shopping for some necessary groceries in Kroger, yesterday, with my mask on…and my glasses kept fogging up…and once they fell off of my…
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The Happy Traveler 