CP 243 What poor old Lazarus lost!

CP 243 What poor old Lazarus lost!

My friends, I couldn’t resist sending this to you, given that the raising of Lazarus was the Gospel text last Sunday. And, as a second ‘gift’ I’m sending you a little piece from Henry Nouwen. I’m inspired to send this second small item because one of you, in a phone call, revealed how utterly naked and bereft you felt when you surrendered your control to Him who is Lord.

(At the end of this week I’ll send you CP244 as a Good Friday / Easter thing. It’s about our King.)

Adjusting to the Light 

(by Miller Williams) 

—air —air! I can barely breathe …aah! 

Whatever it was, I think I shook it off. 

Except my head hurts and I stink. 

Except what is this place and what am I doing here? 

Brother, you’re in a tomb. You were dead four days. 

Jesus came and made you alive again. 

Lazarus, listen, we have things to tell you. 

We killed the sheep you meant to take to market. 

We couldn’t keep your old dog either. 

He obeyed you. The rest of us he barked at. 

Rebecca, who cried two days, has given her hand 

to the sandalmaker’s son. Please understand, we

didn’t know Jesus could do this. 

We’re glad you’re back. But give us time to think. 

Imagine our surprise to have you—well, 

not well, but weller. I’m sorry, but you do stink. 

I’m sorry but you do stink. Everyone, give us some air.

We want to say we’re sorry for all that.

And one thing more. We threw away your lyre.

But listen, we’ll pay whatever the sheep was worth.

Your dog too. And put your room the way it was before.

And the piece from Henry Nouwen… 

“Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands
and to discover that I am not what I own,
but what you want to give me.”
- Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life