Really!?!

Jesus asked a lot of questions to those who followed him. One question, in particular, has always fascinated and, at the same time, irked me quite a bit. The question is: “Do you love me?”

Linguists and theologians and scholars all have great interpretations and perspectives on that question, but my initial reaction (as a leader of artists) is not tied to any of those interpretations and perspectives. No, my initial reaction is, if I could borrow a Weekend Update (SNL) line, Really!?!

I am quite shocked Jesus would ask this question; think about it: the first followers of Jesus left their homes, became unpopular, were considered national threats, and, in the end were all the victims of capital punishment (and John was the only one not of them that wasn’t executed, but he was boiled and exiled, that lucky dog). With the knowledge of what these people sacrificed, and with the knowledge of their impending doom, Jesus has the audacity to ask, “Do you love me?”

Why didn’t Jesus ask, “How many people are taking you seriously as you follow me?” Or, “How much are you going to accomplish”, or “Can you show me some results?” As a person that leads a community of artists, my questions are usually based around the end result (success or failure) of what our community is doing.

The thing about this question that is haunting and beautiful, is that Jesus continually points out the one thing needed as we follow: love for God. Loving Jesus shows our world of loneliness and despair the need for the heart of God, both in action and reflection. Henri Nouwen says, that there is an enormous need for people to know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal. Jesus knows that, and he is constantly asking the question: Do you love me?

Maundy

Today is Maundy Thursday. On this day in Holy Week, we are reminded of the washing of the disciples' feet, the mystery of the Eucharist, the tragic prayers and emotion of the Gethsemane prayers, and Jesus' arrest.

So, what do we do in response? Let me encourage a few acts:
-Serve someone with humility (maybe even symbolically wash someone's feet or do the task of a minimum wage worker for someone)
-Remember and have your own Lord's Supper (heck, buy a bottle of wine and do it with some friends)
-Spend some time in prayer and thanks for the agony of Christ

Just a thought to do something different and experience Holy Week on your own...

Taking risks,
n

London and the G20 mixed with American Idol

Right now, as I write this, anarchists and protesters are gathered outside the Bank of England and RBS in London. They are demonstrating something, but no one on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, Headline, and other cable news reporters have any idea what they are protesting. They interviewed one guy and asked him "What exactly are you protesting?" This guy had a tent in the streets, a big "NO" shirt, and he answered: "The fangs of capitalism."

What does that mean?

It seems as though many people want to send a message but they don't exactly have a great idea of what they are standing for, other than being against something. One other person was interviewed as saying she wanted the world governments to do more about global warming. So, anti-capitalism enthusiasts and climate change venturists are now holding hands at the same rally? And they breech security at RBS and climb in windows...

It seems a bit counter productive. You have to love the mob mentality.

Kind of reminds me of American Idol.

Take a risk,
N