Who Is This . . .

Last Friday I drove down to Indianapolis and went to the Museum of Art for the afternoon. I am one of those nerds who reads the information next to the paintings, mostly because I rarely see what's going on in the painting. While looking through a section of the museum devoted to religious art, I found a painting from "the School of Hieronymus Bosch." It is a depiction of Jesus entering Purgatory, an idea to which I do not ascribe, but I found the painting very interesting. Jesus was entering into the torments and tormentors of purgatory with a bright light shining all around him. On the description next to the painting, I found this quote from an ancient text dating back to the 13th Century:

"Who is this then, who comes to our gates so boldly, and not only has no fear of our torments, but also frees others from our chains." - Jacobus de Voragino about 1260 The Golden Legend

I was really struck this week by this idea of Jesus entering into the world at it's worst, and not only having no fear of it, but also freeing us from that same fear and pain. As we all have, I've been reflecting on the Virginia Tech shooting this week. Those are the kinds of tragedies that instill fear in the hearts of people, and then I remembered reading this quote last Friday - Jesus is not only unafraid, but also frees people from the fears and torments of the world at its worst by giving hope and comfort and victory.

We have a sister chuch at Virgina Tech, one which we started a Leadership Training Program with last summer. They could use our prayers and support! Here is their website if you're interesed in reading some of their updates: nlcf.

Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

Here is a message I recently listened to recently called "Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?" delivered around Easter time this year at Roanoke College in VA by NT Wright (The Bishop of Durham in the Anglican Church). I think it will engage both your intellect and your soul:

[audio:Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead.mp3]

The Grapes of Wrath

Sometimes I read a book, and I forget about it hours after I have finished it. Other times I read books that affect me deeply. . . I think about them, reflect upon them, reorder my world according to different paradigms. That is what reading the Grapes of Wrath was like for me. It was a difficult book for me to finish because it touched upon some of the areas in my life where I have the greatest fears - being able to provide for my family, anxieties about the unknown, natural disasters that alter the course of real life. It was a profound book, but it has made me think twice about fully enjoying this consumeristic culture we live in. It has made me hesitant to feel as secure as I could feel, while living out the "American Dream." I don't know how I went as long as I did, never having even heard the plot of the book. It's time to read an uplifting book now. I just read the Catcher in the Rye before that one. These books don't help with seasonal depression. I'm trying to stick with the classics . . . any suggestions?