One of the nicest things
that anyone has ever done for me happened about forty-two years ago high above
the Atlantic Ocean. I had been working for a pharmaceutical company in international
information systems; and on one of my many trips to Europe, my boss decided to
make the trip with me.
Because of his executive position,
the company flew him first class wherever he went. I, on the other hand, as a 28-year-old
computer programmer, was relegated to economy. But on this, our first time flying
together, he chose to give up his first class seat and to keep me company in
economy. Some people thought him foolish, but I deeply appreciated it as a
gesture of kindness and friendship. It was a particular comfort to me as we hit
turbulence.
Many times when I look at
the cross, I think about that flight across the Atlantic and the meaning of
friendship. I can see Jesus hanging on that cross in much the same way as I saw
my old boss riding with me in economy. And it is a reminder to me that we are
not alone; that God loves us so much that he chose to leave the comforts of
first class behind; to step away from heaven; enter our time and space and ride
with us through the turbulence and crosses of life.
Eventually, the life of
every human being is overshadowed by a cross, probably many different crosses. It
might be the loss of a loved one or abandonment or rejection. It might be
poverty or illness or an incurable disease. And if not any of these things,
eventually we all face death, the end of our earthly existence. In time, life
brings each of us to the foot of the cross.
But, the message of the
cross is hope. It tells us that we are not alone; that God is with us in the
chaos and the darkness; he is present in the pain, the loss, the suffering; he
is there at he center of the turbulence, the center of the cross. And it is this
God who travels beside us through the turbulence and the crosses of life who
eventually will lead each of us to the resurrection of Easter morning.
What an incredible
friend!
As we move through this
season of Lent, let us reflect on the times of turbulence we have safely come through,
and let us rejoice and thank God for riding beside us and for being our friend.
………………………………………………………………………………..
Readers of this blog might enjoy these
books by Deacon Lex. Both are available on Amazon.com:
Just to Follow My Friend:
Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life
The Gospel of You, The Gospel
of Me: Making Christ Present in Everyday Life
Synchronicity as the Work of
the Holy Spirit: Jungian Insights for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Ministry
http://www.amazon.com/Synchronicity-Work-Holy-Spirit-Spiritual/dp/1463518781/
