Friday, April 3, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Bishop Jeff Barrow
Greater Milwaukee Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
In Loren Eiseley's book, The
Immense Journey, there is a chapter called "The Judgment of the
Birds" in which the anthropologist describes the scene of an awful
tragedy. A raven robs the nest of another bird and devours the nestling in
front of the mother. It is a graphic, gruesome act which leaves the forest
stunned and seemingly helpless in the face of the creature which he refers to
as "the bird of death."
But then, after the silence, comes the response. A bird begins to sing,
then another, then another until the forest is suddenly filled with sweet song,
as though to say that death cannot have the final say.
I think the passion story as it comes to us through the Gospel of Mark
is that kind of story. The only words of Jesus from the cross recorded in Mark,
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" are at once a graphic
depiction of Jesus' utter humanity and also a sign of complete surrender to
God. What is interesting is what that act of surrender does to the witnesses.
The Centurion, a bystander really, declares, "Certainly, this is the
Son of God.” The women, who have been observing at a distance, begin to come
forward and will be the first witnesses to the resurrection. Joseph of
Arimathea, a leader, is moved to care for the body.
The crucifixion of Jesus, while it may leave us in stunned silence at
first, begs for our response. Will the passion of Jesus Christ leave us in
despair or will it move us to become singers of life?
Oh God, teach us
through Jesus’ suffering love to sing your song of forgiveness, hope, and
resurrection. Amen.
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