lessons from Benny

With the arrival of spring weather, Benny really wants to be outside!  I enjoy walking, and often take walks around the neighborhood to unwind after work.  He enjoys riding in the stroller (who wouldn't?), so the two of us (and sometimes some of the other kids), can often be seen strolling around town in the evenings.  Benny has a certain park that he loves to go to, and the playground equipment there is just his size, so this is one of our favorite destinations.

If you spend any time with Benny, one thing that is obvious about him is that he is a social creature.  He may not have an extensive vocabulary, and he really cannot engage in a conversation unless it is within a limited range of topics.  (Even a simple question like, "what's your name?", gets lost on Benny).  However, it doesn't matter if they understand him, or not, Benny will talk to anyone.

Anyone.

And therein lies the lesson.

I consider myself a pretty friendly guy.  Yet, I am selectively friendly.  I tend to size up people when I pass them on the sidewalk, and only give a friendly "hi" to those I deem as friendly, or receptive of my greeting.  Not so with Benny... happy couple pushing a stroller, friendly looking grandfather-type, teenage lovers neckin' on the sidewalk, or heavily tattooed and pierced individual spewing profanity:  all the same to Benny... people.  And if people are in the vicinity of Benny, they usually can't escape his enthusiastic, "Hi!"

I sometimes cringe when he shouts out a greeting, but I think God smiles.  I think Benny sees people much like God does, without stereotypes and preconceived ideas... just people.

I'm writing this for myself, but I suspect it applies to more than just me.  Might the world be a better place if everyone saw people through eyes like Benny's?

feet and feast

It's Holy Week... do you know what happened today in the life of Jesus? 

Sadly, many Christians don't focus much on Holy Week... and I've traditionally been one of them.  For many of us, Easter is about Sunday, and the days leading up to it are about preparation, shopping, cooking, travel or just an extra day off work.  But, there is a reason why tomorrow is a national holiday... and it's not just because the "actual" holiday falls on a Sunday.  No, it's because the celebration of Easter is an event, not just a day!

Thursday, being Christ's final full day on earth, marked these important events:

• Jesus joined the twelve disciples for a Passover meal (often referred to as "The Last Supper"), during which He instituted the observance of what is now known as Communion.  Luke 22:14-19
• Jesus took on Himself the role of a slave, and washed the feet of the twelve, then commanded them to follow his example to serve others.  John 13:4-17
• Jesus predicted his betrayal during the Passover meal.  John 13:21-30
• Jesus prayed, was betrayed by Judas and was arrested, in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Luke 22:39-53

In some Christian traditions, today is marked by Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday observances, often involving foot washing and/or Communion.  "Maundy" is a bit of a foreign word for me, but it is from the Latin word mandatum, which means mandate or commandment, the significance of which comes from the commandment of Jesus to go and serve others, as he modeled in the washing of the disciple's feet.

But, I think perhaps the washing of the feet was more significant than just modeling humility and service.  Perhaps the real significance was in the symbolism of the cleansing.  Just as the elements of the first Communion were symbols... the broken bread representing the suffering He would endure in His body as it would be broken, and the cup representing His blood that would be shed as the end-all payment for sin... I see the cleansing of the disciple's feet as symbolic of the cleansing from sin that was about to be made possible by His impending death.  The commandment, then, was bigger than just acts of service and kindness, or to "serve others as I have served you", but to model the example of Christ in a way that points others to Him and the true cleansing His death offers.  That's a big calling for the twelve... and for me?

Easter... it's not just about Sunday!