Lent is about a journey. This year, we imagine our journey like a river. Rivers can rush with amazing speed to their destination. But when they encounter obstacles, they are not stopped--they find their way around, by twisting and turning, by bending and arcing. And this is what we are going to do for the next five weeks. Like fish, we are going to follow the river—swimming close to the surface, and then diving down deep. We are going to stop at the places where it bends—telling stories of why here, why now. Put Cedric Varcoe’s “Rgurunderi and the Big Ponde” somewhere where it can remind you of our journey. We will get to our destination soon enough.
Meanwhile, we start at the very beginning of this particular river—this particular story—with Jesus, with us. This is a story of wilderness, of leaving the river, of temptation. And because it is our story as well, I invite you to join in telling it.
In mirroring my motions,
in singing a song of praise together,
we lift to God the words and meditations of our hearts.
(Meditation from Seasons of the Spirit)
Step after step.
Step after step.
Jesus walked and walked and walked
(slap knees one after the other to suggest walking).
And as Jesus walked he thought…about everything that was happening, about how it all began that day he went from Nazareth to the river Jordan, and how John dipped him into the water and baptized him. Jesus thought about how, as he splashed up, the sky tore open and his heart beat like the wings of a dove: beating, beating, Beloved, Beloved, Beloved…
(gently pat heart over and over).
It put a song in Jesus’ heart:
All sing: Holy, Holy, Holy. My heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, Lord.
And now Jesus felt, with each footstep, like he was being called away from the river and the people, away from the villages and even the safety of roadways... (beckon with one hand and then the other).
It was as if something all around and deep inside him wanted him to get away through the trees
(look up and around),
and grass
(make some swishing sounds),
over rocks
(make climbing action with hands),
into the wilderness
(open hands wide).
With every footstep Jesus sang:
All sing: Holy, Holy, Holy. My heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, Lord.
And so Jesus went and, as he did, the sights and sounds and smells of the village faded away until he was absolutely all alone. Sunny, hot, and dusty days
(shield eyes and squint)
became long and cold nights
(shiver ),
no friends, no shelter… only the clothes on his back (hug self).
Quietly he sang:
All sing: Holy, Holy, Holy. My heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, Lord.
What was that sound?… a wild animal
(make scratching, growling sounds).
What was that sound?... a rough wind
(whistle like the wind).
Where am I? Why am I here? I should turn back… Jesus curled up for another sleepless night
(lay head on shoulder).
Jesus whispered to himself.
All sing: Holy, Holy, Holy. My heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, Lord.
It was as if something in the wilderness was trying to stop Jesus on his journey, make him forget he was God’s beloved. These bad feelings were trying to make him feel sad, scared, and so very alone
(look around frantically).
And it was so quiet Jesus’ ears roared
(cover ears but encourage complete quiet).
Ah… but beloved Jesus remembered. Jesus remembered who he was. He remembered his mother and father telling stories of God’s love for all creation. Jesus remembered their songs and prayers, songs of thanksgiving, songs of sorrow and want, of faith and hope. And then the most wondrous thing happened. It was as if Jesus heard their voices joined in with the voices of angels:
All sing: Holy, Holy, Holy. My heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: you are holy, Lord.
And just as wondrously, Jesus was able to light a small campfire and, in the cool of the night, found food and water. Jesus was filled with awe and wonder as he looked all around. Jesus marveled at the starry heavens above
(sweep hand over head).
The whistling wind caressed his cheek, like a comforting parent, like a protecting angel
(arms out then hug, repeat).
Jesus’ heart beat slowly, steadily, saying
love, peace, hope, joy
and he saw, heard and felt the presence of God all around him and deep inside him. It was time to return to the river. And as Jesus journeyed out of the wilderness, he did so knowing God would be with him in every heartbeat
(pat heart)
and every footstep
(slap knees)
along the way
(pat heart , slap knees … fading into silence).
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