The evening was cool with a gentle breeze. Spirits were high after the Palm Sunday Celebration. Tonight was Supper with the Teacher…news of the future…news of the Kingdom. No longer would they be the people following the cart…soon they would be driving the cart. No longer the unseen…the unheard…those whom the elite looked down their noses at. Could it be that the Teacher had chosen high offices for each of them? Soon, they would be telling Pilate to vacate his seat of authority. In the Synagogue, they would occupy the high chairs of authority…men learned in the Talmud and Torah. Soon, they would say who stays and who goes… right the wrong done to their people… settle old scores.

‘Come in, the Supper is prepared,’ Martha said. ‘Mary has been reading the scripture while I prepared the meal,’ Martha continued. ‘Judas told me that there would be a great announcement tonight,’ Mary noted. ‘There are many gathered outside to hear what the Teacher has said during the Supper,’ Martha explained.

‘He who dips his hand with me in the dish will betray me,’ the Teacher said. ‘Unloose your sandals…I am going to wash your feet,’ the Teacher said. ‘You will feel like the world has ended…it will be dark…the Veil will be rent…this is the beginning…not the end,’ the Teacher continued. ‘I will go away,’ the Teacher whispered. ‘I will return…tell everyone what is going to happen,’ the Teacher said.

‘Reveal your Kingdom…tonight,’ Judas said. ‘We have waited so long…everyone is ready…we are ready to fight for your Words…you are our Messiah,’ Judas continued. ‘I have stood by your side…I will not forsake you…no matter what the price,’ Judas smiled and hugged the Teacher.

‘What is this sadness about you, my Rabbi?’ Peter asked. ‘We have laughed, and we have cried…you know I will never deny you,’ Peter promised. ‘Our work is just beginning…we have much to do…the days are short,’ Peter offered. ‘Tonight you appear to have the weight of the world on your shoulders,’ Peter said. ‘Who shall make us afraid…you are the King…as proclaimed by the people of Jerusalem with the palms and hosannas,’ Peter remembered. ‘They will die for you,’ Peter said as he patted the Teacher on the back. ‘No heart is fickel when it comes to their allegiance to you,’ Peter offered with a laugh. ‘I will be the first in the battle…they can have my life…I give it up gladly to fulfill your Kingdom,’ Peter proclaimed.

‘He who I kiss…hold him fast,’ Judas said.

It is easy to get lost in the Woods. All directions look the same. The tall trees make a canopy overhead. So it goes with our lives. Each path seems to lead to the same place. Alone time is helpful…time to get in touch with our conscience. Is our conscience contained in our body, or is there a universal consciousness and we are its radio transmitters? How little of our consciousness leaks through to our task-oriented… results-producing brain. We like to think we are our own woman… we are our own man… yet our thoughts are taken up with another’s words and plans. How much of life do we really see?

What is faith…what is our spiritual journey? How do we serve our faith…our sense of place…our hunger for meaning in the wilderness?

‘He told me that he was tempted in the Garden,’ Mary M said. ‘The Teacher said that it took many days and nights to work out the deception delivered as logical thought,’ Mary M continued. ‘The Tempter was beautiful and easy to be with…a creature of some warmth…some hope…a seemingly settled individual speaking truth,’ Mary M said quietly. ‘His promise was easy on the ears… comforting… no pain involved,’ Mary M said. ‘The Teacher noted that he understood what was happening to him in his alone time…the quiet of the Garden…the Spirit,’ Mary M continued. ‘Now he is prepared for the mission…he is ready to fulfill the promise…he knows what he must suffer and do,’ Mary M whispered.

‘There will be a great supper tomorrow night,’ Judas said. ‘The Teacher will sup with us and tell us of his plans for the future,’ Judas continued. ‘I believe he will be revealed as the Son of God at the Supper,’ Judas noted with aplomb. ‘I have faithfully followed him…I love him…it is time for him to become King,’ Judas offered. ‘I often wonder if he understands me,’ Judas mused. ‘I am included in all matters of his work, and yet he seems not to see me,’ Judas said quietly. ‘I could not believe the time he spent in the Garden…while we waited to begin the work of the Kingdom,’ Judas offered. ‘The Teacher’s pace of movement seems incremental to me…a bit slow for the mission,’ Judas noted with a wry smile.

‘We need a guide in these thick Woods,’ the Old Man said. ‘We need someone with a compass,’ the Old Man continued. ‘I hear the rustling of waters and see the doves flying overhead,’ OM observed. ‘I am going in the direction of the doves and the water sounds,’ the Old Man continued. ‘The Preacher is here in the Wilderness…he is waiting for us to find him,’ the Old Man continued. ‘The Preacher will assist us in finding our way out of the Wilderness…his mind is settled…he understands his mission…he loves the poor and hungry,’ the Old Man observed. ‘Maundy Thursday is tomorrow…we remember the Last Supper…the Crucifixion…the death of our Lord…his Resurrection,’ OM promised. ‘He was a Man…he was God…what a unique combination…what a calling…what a Messiah,’ the Old Man said softly.

Windy the last day of March. Going out like a lion. Hold on to your hat. A lot of pastel colors. Chocolate Easter Eggs are delicious. New clothes for Sunday. We must look our best. Easter is special. The Church Pews will rejoice with their new company. The Preacher has prepared. The Choir is in good voice. Sunrise Service is fun…especially the doughnuts. Restaurants will be full. Then the Hunt.

‘Could I have your attention?’ Fred Frog said. ‘Remember this is for Easter and we want it to be good,’ Fred continued. ‘This is our first performance of the spring season…we will sing knowing that He is watching,’ Fred F noted. ‘I have heard that the Mole Family Singers will be performing…this will be a first for them…we will show them how it is done on Easter,’ Fred extolled. ‘Remember when the Carpenter built our stage last year?’ Fred Frog asked. ‘He was so kind and full of stories and fun,’ Fred F recalled. ‘He did not see a stranger…we all felt welcome and at home,’ Fred laughed. ‘He had dinner at my house and played with the kids and helped clean up the dishes,’ Fred winked. ‘The Carpenter was a hit with the missus…he even sang with us…his harmony was perfect…like the sound of many rushing waters and of doves gathered together,’ Fred F said quietly. ‘He asked me if we would sing…on Easter…for joy and for peace,’ Fred Frog said with a tear in his eye.

‘We will sing for our Friend,’ Maury Mole said. ‘He made us feel important…like we were somebody…we felt seen…we felt heard…we felt at Home,’ Maury M. explained. ‘He helped me fix my roof…he is an adept Carpenter,’ Maury noted. ‘He enjoys a glass of wine in the evening…and figs…then he tells the most interesting stories…stories of hope and Heaven…stories of peace and home…stories of love and forgiveness…stories of putting your neighbor before yourself…I laughed when he advised to turn the other cheek…I asked him what happens when I run out of cheeks,’ Maury Mole said.