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.