I have a new addiction. Pinterest. I have not completely figured it all out yet, but I am hooked. Today, I found this really cute idea for a pedicure. Color blocking. Fuchsia, orange, and red. It was so cool. Much to my dismay, I learned that the Easter bunny I am sporting on my big toe is not the Easter bunny at all. It is more like a Playboy bunny. And that carrot in his hand, well it is not a carrot. That might be what they call it in their country, but in our country we call it something very different. Just saying. So, I am kind of desperate to find a new design.
If Pinterest is to be believed, (and who doesn't believe everything on social media?) the fresh, new ingredient for the spring is figs. Figs. Fig and goat cheese pizza. Fig burschetta. Fig and walnut salad. Figs. And he hated figs. Absolutely hated figs. At least that is how Mark saw it.
What really happened and when, that final week, is up for debate. But the gospel writers agree on a few common things. He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. He wept over Jerusalem. He talked alot. They ate supper. He prayed in the garden. He cleaned house, literally and figuratively. There was a trial. He was crucified.
But Mark is the only one who tells us he hated figs. Mark also tells shares with us, that Jesus could become testy when hungry. Me too. I become extremely testy. Just ask Vance. Unfortunately, wailing out loud is not sociably acceptable behavior for adults. At this is one of the things I wish we would never outgrow. Crying when we are tired and hungry. I also think we should never outgrow crayons and paste. But, apparently Jesus thinks it is ok. To become angry when hungry, I mean. And this comforts me more than you will ever know. And I know he would never give up crayons, given his love for writing in the dirt.
He hated that fig tree so much it withered up and died. I am not sure why this is not listed as a miracle. The O'Briens have this fig tree at the beach that they have been trying to kill for 20 years and it just won't die. So, I kind of consider killing a fig tree to be a miracle.
It is not clear if he ever got anything to eat that day or not. Judging by the whole incident in the Temple later on, I am guessing not. And apparently right up there on his favorite list of things to do was cleaning. Clearly he loved to clean. After killing that fig tree, we get a lesson on how to clean house. I am by know means a domestic goddess. And I firmly believe that dust is a protective covering and it really won't kill anyone to see your dirty bathroom. Those dishes in the sink can always wait. Always. And it really does not matter that you have to clear a path to find your bed at night. And I promise, you will sleep just as well in that unmade bed as that made one. And please keep all those little, tiny fingerprints on the doors and mirrors. Before you know it those little, chubby hands will be waving goodbye to you at college. And one other thing and this is very, very important...your girlfriends keep house just like you do. Promise. So go ahead and give yourself a break and lower the bar. And if you keep good snacks and a bottle of wine on hand, no matter what your house looks like...people will think you are Martha Stewart. Promise.
We like to think that if Jesus walked into our houses he would not turn anything over, throw anything out the window, raise an eyebrow or even a voice. We like to think our house is more like Mary and Martha's. But probably our house is more like the Temple than we care to think.
He really only had one message for us that day. Just one. And it was a biggie. And on most days we forget. One can argue with words...but deeds are beyond argument. WOW. We can talk all day long about how much we love, how we don't hate, how strong our moral center is, what we think is absolute truth or not (as if any of us really know), what we believe we are called to do, how much we care, how far we will go to help our brother...but Jesus said the bottom line is this...
Jesus said if your deeds are not matching your words...then clean house. Throw out indifference and care about everyone. Turn the table that you sit around complaining upside down and replace it with the table of gratitude. Block the doorway to negativity. Make your house a house of prayer and praise. Dust doubt off the counter and sweep it right out the door and never, never let it visit again. Believe and then just do it.
"Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary." St. Francis.
Asking for grace to keep my house clean....
Kathleen
No comments:
Post a Comment