He was taking us on the grand tour. First the Hosanas!, then his razing of the Temple. He was long freed from self-necessity, but his passion days seemed a new beginning with an old theme. I could scarcely imagine what was next. As was his custom, it wasn’t a what but a who.
Jesus waved us still, then sat down and said ‘look over there, watch the splendor.’ At first we thought he was speaking of the heavy sums many dropped. But like time after time, he attacked our eyes. ‘No, that is merely self-righteous blotch. No, there, her, the difficult splendor.’
Two coins. That was it. Though her life was bent her eyes radiated the sanguine dream. Jesus smiled at the primacy of her intention. He did not approach her, to do so would have been irreverent. He would not bruise the shapely form. Rather he raised his hand and blessed her from where he sat. The scene was far from quaint; it was reckless. He said ‘She is on our side.’ His words graced the moment leaving a humble transparency, adding nothing but clarity. I was left trembling.
John, I reckon I’d like to read a whole book of these stories the way you retell them. I’ve said it before, and so long as you keep putting them up from time to time, I betcha I say it again.
Thanks for putting this up today. I really appreciate it.
Seth echoes my thoughts. I’m so struck by the juxtaposition of the difficult and the splendor. I think I’ve long thought that my small measures are just small. So tiny, so dirty. So weary. And there is this thought. How many times have I heard this parable? And yet, you tell it anew. Many thanks.
Not that anything needs to be added to these stories, but that you would let us benefit from the richness of your time spent with him. Thank you for this gift. Oh that he would attack my eyes to see the difficult splendors.
“the difficult splendor…”
John, I reckon I’d like to read a whole book of these stories the way you retell them. I’ve said it before, and so long as you keep putting them up from time to time, I betcha I say it again.
Thanks for putting this up today. I really appreciate it.
Thank you, Seth…that phrase means a great deal to me…a great deal indeed.
Each word is a morsel that feeds but can never fill my hungry soul. Thank you for this blessing, brother.
Rich, you’re welcome…thank you for your words.
“No, there, her, the difficult splendor.”
Seth echoes my thoughts. I’m so struck by the juxtaposition of the difficult and the splendor. I think I’ve long thought that my small measures are just small. So tiny, so dirty. So weary. And there is this thought. How many times have I heard this parable? And yet, you tell it anew. Many thanks.
Joy, thanks so much for stopping by, and taking the time to write.
Not that anything needs to be added to these stories, but that you would let us benefit from the richness of your time spent with him. Thank you for this gift. Oh that he would attack my eyes to see the difficult splendors.
Patricia, thanks for coming along this week…