Calm Command
Before I dive into scripture and my reflections I want to give a little update on life in the Adam’s household that may help give my reflections perspective. Jeff and I have officially moved out of our Green Bay home and are settled into the family land at Kingston. The moving van arrived this past Tuesday. In the midst of this chapter change of our lives, the Lord has presented another. My dad entered home hospice last week Thursday after his declines showed no plateau. His remaining time with us remains firmly in the hands of the Lord to decide but from our earthly perspective it is very limited. I ask you all to keep our family in your prayers as I know many of you are already doing. Trust me, those prayers are being felt! Below you will find two reflections I had during Holy Week.
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. (Isaiah 50:7)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
Since watching The Chosen and being introduced to the Dayenu (It would have been enough), I have been spending some of my morning prayer time with “it would have been enough” from the day before. In the midst of the of all that is going on this Holy Week my “would have been enough” seems to be centered on the strength and perseverance that the Lord is providing. As my list grew, I felt the Lord speak these words to me, [Calm Command]. As I hold these words they suddenly become a beautiful definition for another word, patience. This is what the peace that Jesus promises each of us can provide, calm command. This is the patient endurance that Jesus Himself modeled time and again during His Holy Week: with Judas, in the garden with His disciples, at His arrest, before the high priests and pilate, with the soldiers beating Him, and on His cross. Calm command is the grace to walk forward peacefully down the road of difficulty. Calm command springs forth from claiming our true identity as His and it is knowing Who is with us every step of the way. It is not passivity; it is confidently advancing. “Always forward, never back.” (St. Junipero Serra) Calm command commands those moments when we fully awaken to the truth that we are never alone in the fight of the moment. We have The Wingman of wingmen: Jesus. Calm command is the transformation of faith from “it would have been enough” to Jesus is enough. This Holy Week I feel I have the unique priveledge of having my own “passion” play out. Not a passion of physical agony (although all the picking things up and putting them down in boxes and what not does have it’s own agony) or a passion of betrayal or of fighting Satan. My “passion” is a passion of goodbyes and letting go.
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22)
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
The peace of Christ continues to reveal itself this Holy Week. In the midst of His calm command, Jesus shows us the impossible, eager anticipation. The gift of eager anticipation flows from faith, and the gift of “knowing.” What are we called “to know?” We are called to know that whatever we face today, Jesus is waiting to deliver us to the other side of it. Last night as I prayed in church I felt our Lord repeat to me, “I have eagerly anticipated this.” Last night was my last supper so to speak at the parish that has fostered my faith for 28 years. It filled me with hope in that prayer moment that as I sat feeling unmoored my Savior stood in anticipation. He has been waiting for this moment (and the next moment, and the next moment…)! Jesus knows what lies on the other side and that gift of His peace suddenly resonates it’s truth a little deeper into my aching heart. If Jesus is eagerly anticipating, then I can pray to receive the grace to eagerly anticipate what He has prepared for me.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)
Lord Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief. I am sorry for all the times that my anticipation of the future has been one of dread and anxiety. Fill me with Your eager anticipation. Amen.
