Un Coeur Gross

[To finish on Joseph]


: extract from journal - 12.04.09 :


Easter Sunday - Vers L'église church.

A most surprising experience. Simple, protestant celebration in a beautiful, small church, all in french. I caught enough of the sermon to gather what was being shared – Joseph of Arimathea. The vicar spoke of Joseph's big heart, and how his heart was like the tomb from which Jesus was 'ressucité' – resurrected. He contained both death and life in his heart, with HOPE for the Kingdom of God to come. (Luke 23:51).

The vicar began his sermon by placing his hand on his heart, feeling for his own heartbeat.

"Le coeur symbolisé la vie, et la mort. C'est un cadeau, chaque jour. Joseph de Arimathea avait un coeur gross...," and he stressed the word 'big' with his hands as if he was growing into it.

So, as I pondered yesterday, he says Joseph symbolises our hope for life, even in death.

That these thoughts of yesterday were followed with a clear reiteration is too bare-faced to be meaningless.

•

A calling to stand in the shadows with a torchbeam is tough, and can feel very bleak. If this is you, you are in very good company. Our response to this call has to be a work in progress, heartened by knowing the greater your experience of suffering, the greater your capacity to love. You learn gradually that hope will always have the last word.

Hang in. Hang in.


{Today's soundtrack: me & my guitar}