Published With Thanksgiving

“And he said to them, I have so wanted to eat this Passover with you…” (Luke 22.15).

There’s a song, “China” by Tori Amos, that contains the line, “You’re right next to me, but I’d need an airplane….” It’s a song about being with someone you love, who is physically near you but who, emotionally, is miles away.

Good Friday is often a day Christians have, historically, meditated upon the sufferings of Jesus upon the cross. His was not an easy death, and the memory of it can cause us to become aware of the physical suffering in the world around us, move us to love. But the suffering did not begin today.

It didn’t take Divine revelation to see everything was coming down. The air was, I think, thick with tension. Everyone was on edge because of the Passover season. It was not unlike a gas leak where the air is primed, waiting for a spark to set off violence.

And, we know, don’t we? We know when things are coming to a head. We know if not today then early next week the boss will put that meeting on our calendar. The phone will ring or an email will come from a particular family member. Our spouse will say those dreaded words, we need to talk.

Knowing is difficult, but it isn’t the worst thing. For Jesus, the worst was that no one else seemed to notice. Or, perhaps chose to ignore it. Jesus dropped hints. I won’t drink of the vine until I do so in the world that’s coming. I’ve really longed to have this meal with you. But no one took up the opportunity. The night was clear, warm, full of the smells of spring. No one wanted to break the spell.

And, so, Jesus endures in loneliness. It’s a loneliness of being surrounded by those you love and who love you. It’s a feeling that, for me, is far more acute because all around, you can see how alone you are. They are all here, right next to you, but you’d need planes, boats, even rockets to bridge the distance.

As this day of sadness begins, let’s think about those around us who are suffering in loneliness. Are we keeping distance from them? Are we enjoying our moment too much to see the pain and struggle in someone we love who is right next to us? Can we buy our ticket, board a plane, and fly to them emotionally?

I will be with you, Jesus tells those he loves, until the end of this age. With us in understanding of what it feels to be alone, distant from those we long to have close. Let us say the same to those we love and draw near so they might not face the dark nights and difficult days alone.

Jesus, you know loneliness. You know what it feels like to suffer and feel as though those within arm’s reach are a million miles away. Help us bridge the distance with those we love so they do not suffer alone. And help those around us cross that distance when feel miles away from everyone.