Day 17-22 (Monday-Saturday)

OK, with all that is happening work-wise and the busy life we are having at the

moment I have resigned myself to doing weekly updates for now. So, I'll post new

thoughts or experiences this week on this page as I have time.

For the first time, more or less, during Lent I have struggled again with swearing.

Perhaps its the unexpected added stress of disruption at work and seeing people

who are feeling much more stressed. Whatever, I

pray you help me overcome it Father, I prefer the

person I am when I am less swearing and more

patient.

This week, for the first time in quite a while I got

along to our church 'Bookclub', which probably

ranks as the best of our church meetings. It also

gave me opportunity to give some more serious

time to reading Rowan Williams' recommended

Lenten Book for 2007 (Power & Passion). I am

finding this to be an excellent book that really

opens up to me different aspects of what the different gospel narratives reveal

about the events of the passion and then applying them to really contemprary

social & politicial challenges that we face.

Having previously read the first chapter (on Pilate) which left me more critical on

Pontius' motives and superficial 'nothing I can do' attitude. As was eloquently

communicated, beware of those who say there is nothing they can do and be wary

of abdication yourself. Anyway, the main chapters I read this time examined the

narratives surrounding Barabbus (chapter 2) and Joseph of Arimathea together with

Nicodemus. Several lessons to learn...

I recall the challenge that: the problem was not the zealots like Barabbus were too

revolutionary but that they weren't revolutionary enough - not going as far as to

challenge the very worldview that ends are secured only by violent force. It is more

revolutionary to believe in the ultimate victory of love & purity and to trust in the

kingdom to come rather than the powers of here and now. The other stark 

challenge is the shadowy, shy discipleship of Joseph & Nicodemus. I'd never before

seen the parallel of a background 'Joseph' character who did the decent thing at the

beginning and end of Jesus' life. However, both these men appear to have had

opportunity as 'prominent members of the council' to be more public before or

perhaps even to have prevented Jesus' execution. Did they do too little too late? Do

I? Do I prefer to be less overtly a Christ follower in work? Do I prefer to avoid the

embrassing conflict of always standing for grace and mercy in business?