Saturday, April 6
Loved ones are understandingly anxious and nervous knowing the health of one much loved is in danger. But even when Jesus received word “Lord, the one you love is sick,” the disciples took their time – staying two more days before concluding, “Let us go back to Judea.”
Note how generous Jesus was with his time. He didn’t rush about when first hearing Lazarus was ill. Probably he taught and shared ideas with his disciples, helping them understand new concepts for his teaching before announcing it was now time to return to Bethany.
Maybe we can assume that Jesus had a plan that he would execute in his own time. Maybe he was trying to “tie up some loose ends” before going back to the people who had tried to stone him. Certainly, he was the epitome of generosity – not just with his time but with his life. He wanted Martha to believe convincingly what she later said, “[Yes], Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world.”
Jesus’ life certainly stood for generosity in every meaningful way – time, treasure and even his life itself. And Mary, how might she have better applied the idea of generosity in what we know about her? Could she have been more generous? Could we all be more generous? Now there’s a thought worth pondering, don’t you think?
Prayer: God of Creation, in this world of abundance, may we, as your chosen and beloved children, learn and practice the spiritual discipline of generosity this Lent. May we offer back to you without hesitation all of our good and perfect gifts to you who have so richly blessed us. Amen.
Nett Brown