Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains
just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
The song that Jesus sings is the message of paradox--no one truly lives without first dying to
self--no one ever finds life without first losing it--no grain of wheat begins to grow without first
being thrown into the earth to rot. And the Song that he sings is neither the beginning of the
Kingdom nor the ending of his own life. Neither the Prelude nor the Finale. It's the music of
Transition. And nothing would ever be the same again.
(John 12:24
NRSV)
Which is the true song of Passion Week? The Prelude or the Finale? Which way do we set the
music on the stand? Do the notes go up and lift us in graceful cheering? Or do they go down and
plant our feet in the cancerous crowds outside Pilate's breakfast window? Actually, Jesus seems
to think both songs are out of place. On Palm Sunday, as the crowds cheer, he weeps. And on
Good Friday, as the mobs shout, he remains silent. Because, for him, this is neither Prelude nor
Finale. Instead, it's a modulation, a transition from one key signature to the next. A moment
when the same old song takes on brand new significance.
God of peace, thank you for sending Jesus into our world and into my life. May his presence
always be with me in the transitions of life. Amen.
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