SOMEWHERE NEAR BENGHAZI

I never thought very deeply about the story of Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry His cross. Wasn't he just a man in the wrong place at the wrong time, an insignificant, curious passer-by, as he was referred to in the Scripture, who was randomly picked from the crowd? All three synoptic gospel writers recorded this event. In one of the Stations of the Cross we commemorate it. There must be more here than meets the eye. 

Where is Cyrene? I was surprised to find that it is in North Africa not far from the modern day city of Benghazi in Libya which was prominently in the news after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2012!

I searched for more information, I found that a condemned person was forced to bear his own instrument of torture, in this case at least the heavy crossbeam of a cross. But the soldiers didn't want a prisoner to die on the way up the hill to his crucifixion because that would spare him from the planned cruel torture of a deliberately slow and painful execution. A criminal was crucified in a public place where it would serve as a warning and deterent to would-be evildoers. Jesus was already staggering under the weight of the crossbeam and falling repeatedly from extreme weakness after his agonizing, prolonged scourging by the soldiers.

In various translations of this biblical passage Simon was said to have been “pressed into service” or “seized” or “compelled.” He obviously didn't volunteer; he had no choice; he was forced to do so at the point of a spear. 

Who was this Simon whom Mark so precisely identifies that he even records the names of his sons and that he had come to Jerusalem from “the country” or “the fields.”  Since Mark wrote his gospel for Jewish believers, it is likely that by the time he wrote the gospel story the inclusion of the names of his sons in Mark 15:21 may suggest that they were of some standing in the Early Christian community. Tradition says that Simon's sons Rufus and Alexander became missionaries; It has also been suggested that the Rufus mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:13 is the son of Simon of Cyrene. 

Libya is separated from the Holy Land by Egypt. Simon would have had to cross Egypt by land or come by sea. Libya was under Roman rule at that time but there was a Greek colony in North Libya along the Mediterranean Sea with a large settlement of Judean Jews.  Most of Libya is covered by the Sahara desert except for that long strip of Northern coastline where eighty percent of Libya's people live. Cyrene became an early center of Christianity in the centuries after the Church began to spread. Some also link Simon with the "men of Cyrene" in Acts 11:20 who preached the gospel to the Greeks—the Cyrenians would have known how to speak Greek. 

Why was Simon there in the crowd that was following Jesus to Golgotha? Were his sons with him? Were they adults or children? Was he a laborer or a wealthy foreign businessman? Was he a Jew from the diaspora or a dark-skinned Libyan native? Was Simon a believer in Jesus already when he carried Jesus' cross? Was he a devout Jew who was making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover according to the requirement of Judaism?  Or was he only a curious pagan caught up in the drama of a Roman execution until he became part of what was a life-changing event for himself and his sons and perhaps his heritage for generations to come?

Simon, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” Did you stay at the cross after you carried it up the hill for Jesus and watch salvation history unfold? Were your sons at the crucifixion with you?  “Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?” Did you become a Christian as a result of seeing Jesus die on the cross or perhaps hearing the witness of the disciples about Jesus' resurrection? (Someone ought to write a novel about this man!)

Simon, “Were you there when the Holy Spirit came?” Were you among the 120 in the Upper Room? In the biblical account of the birth of the Church on Pentecost in Acts chapter two in the list of places from which people were present at the event, “the districts of Libya near Cyrene” was noted. Simon, “Were you there?” We can only speculate.

What is the take-away insight for us from this special event? In His suffering humanity and to accomplish His mission from His Father, Jesus allowed Simon to help carry His cross. He could have called ten thousand angels to strengthen Him to carry the heavy cross, but He permitted and welcomed a mortal man to help Him. In His teaching before the crucifixion Jesus spoke about the necessity of taking up our cross and following Him. (Matthew 16:24) On the way to Golgotha Simon didn't carry his own cross; he carried Jesus' cross.

We can't do what Simon did. We can't carry Jesus' cross. Jesus gave His life once for all on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and to obtain eternal life for us. So then, how can we bear Jesus' cross for Him now? Jesus declared that whatsoever we do for others or to others, we do as if we did it unto Him. The Lord receives it as literally done to Him! (Matthew 25:35-46) In practice then, we are to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Each of us has unique personal crosses to bear as well as burdens, afflictions, and problems. There is a sense in which we must with courage and God's enabling accept and bear our own cross, the cross that God has given us in His love. By this we glorify Him and give witness to Him. However, there is a further sense in which we should reach out in love and compassion to help others shoulder their crosses as Simon of Cyrene did for Jesus. By so doing, we are privileged to partake in Jesus' suffering, “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for His sake.” (Philippians 1:29)

YOUR UNIQUE CROSS

The everlasting God has, in His wisdom,

foreseen from eternity the cross

that He now presents to you

as a gift from His inmost heart.

This cross He now sends you

He has considered with His all-knowing eyes,

understood with His loving mind,

tested with His wise justice,

warmed with His loving arms,

and weighed with His own hands,

to see that it be not one inch too large

and not one ounce too heavy for you.

He has blessed it with His holy name,

anointed it with His grace,

perfumed it with His consolation,

taken one last glance at you and your courage,

and then sent it to you from Heaven,

a special greeting from God to you,

an alms of the all-merciful love of God.

Saint Francis de Sales

1567-1622

GOD LIKES GREEN!

It's May and spring is bursting out all over! 
I wore a green pullover for my sunshine walk today. My neighbor Doug, tilling his garden next door, commented on its appropriateness to match the lavish display of Nature.

I didn't choose green for my sweater on purpose, but thought about it as I walked to the accompaniment of bird trills in tree tops and the almost overpowering fragrance of honeysuckle and lilac, my favorites.

I'm including the poem I've written below in my current book-in-progress "STILL MORE: FLOURISHING ON MY SUMMIT" in chapter seven entitled "Nature Flourishes on my Summit"

GOD LIKES GREEN!

It seems that suddenly my whole world has turned green! The grey, dull drab of winter has given way to spring almost overnight.
When I look out the picture window from my kitchen table over the woods and vales of the Shenandoah Valley, flourishing greenery stretches as far as my eyes can see. After God's pyrotechnic-like display for several recent stormy, windy, cloudburst nights accompanied by hiding-under-the-blanket thunder boomers, new bursts of green everywhere make it seem as if I’m living in an Amazon rain forest.

I meditated on God's marvelous idea and design to give me eyesight and all of my senses so that I can enjoy what He has created.
I can feel the fresh green, breathe it in, hear the wind rustle through the green leaves, even taste it (in salads)!

Thank You, Lord, that I am not colorblind but can appreciate the generous, artistic splashes of color in this world which You fashioned for Your glory and the pleasure of man and then sent him forth to cultivate it.

 I praise You, O Master Artist, for selecting the background color of green when you started painting Your Earth canvas.

Obviously, GOD LIKES GREEN.
It must surely be
one of His favorite creation colors
not only for splendor and beauty but
as a manifestation of life and growth:
"essential to production of carbohydrates
by photosynthesis."
It was God who thought up

that marvelous synthesis process
without which we could not live!

Look at the generous way
God lavishly splashes green around:
laying a verdant carpet for me to walk on
providing it for animals and man to eat
decorating trees with green in spring
displaying multi-hues of green foliage
keeping evergreens unchanged
to contrast with blankets
of white winter snow
embracing plants and flowers
with green leafy arms
that can climb walls of buildings
while providing lettuce and spinach
for my nourishment.

What a sense of humor God must have
to grow green veggies in whimsical shapes
like asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts
and swish green into seaweed
in the ocean while floating green watercress
in quiet, fresh streams!

Yes, GOD LIKES GREEN:
"The righteous will flourish and grow
into old age full of sap
and very GREEN"*
That means me!

Clothed in the righteousness of Christ
not in my own achievements
I should not be
like withered leaf and brown
but full of inner vitality
flowing from His dwelling in me
and I abiding in Him
flourishing like a green palm tree
bearing fruit in all seasons of my life.*

Since God is so partial to GREEN
then GREEN I aspire to be
full of Divine chlorophyll
to please Him joyfully!

*Psalm 92:12-15

NOT SO FAST!

I had to chuckle at a comment from a friend who expressed appreciation for one of my contemporary poems: "What a blessing it must be to be able to just sit down and let those words flow onto paper!"

NOT! I must correct that.

That would not only be a blessing but a miracle! That's not the way my creative juices flow. Writing one poem may begin with a kernel idea, a thought. But after putting something down on paper there follows sometimes 6 plus hours of concentrated work--the editing seems endless. I examine each word and phrase and polish and rewrite until it has little resemblance to the original draft. And I am never satisfied. Each time I look at it, I revise again, try to choose better words.

My rhyming is usually internal within the phrases, not consistently at the end of a line. I write sense lines in free verse, not metered, and use alliteration and like-sounding words to develop my thoughts. I rely heavily on the 5 senses and emotion.  Note examples below:  "sallow/sun/snuggles" and "comfy coverlet" "blazing/brilliance/bouncing"  -- that sort of thing. (I taught free verse poetry workshops at writers conferences so I try to do more than dash off a few lines and call it a poem.

This is just to let you know that a poem is like a musical composition  or an artist's painting, not off the top of one's head. Actually, I paint with words too. 

Two Spring Dawn Poems

by Leona Choy

SPRING REVEILLE

On muted winter mornings

the sallow sun snuggles lazily

beneath the comfy coverlet of night

reluctant to leave his bed of stars

and down-filled comforter of clouds.

I love to sleep late

deep under my cozy patchwork counterpane

unaware of hazy late morning light

oblivious to my alarm clock

snoozing silently with me

in its “long doze” mode.

But now in spring

the sun flings off his blanket

and rises swiftly

from his restless sleep

with blazing brilliance bouncing up

the rosy steps of day

scaling the Blue Ridge mountains

in a matter of minutes

framed in my eastern window.

How do I know?

Because the sun teases me

by turning on dawn's light

long before six

and sounding a reveille

of chirping birds

compelling me to wake and witness

his daily solar spectacle

and not be late to appreciate

another splendid Virginia dawn.

CREATION'S CHORUS

(My meditation on Psalm 19, The perfect Revelation
of the Lord 'to the Chief Musician.' A Psalm of David

Dawn lingers impatiently on the horizon

eager to cast off her robes of night.

The sun yawns one last time

and turns his face to heaven

magnetically drawn to the skies

in adoration of his Creator

then rises in jubilant splendor

to glorify God:

“The heavens declare the glory of God.”

Earth stirs with myriad life:

flowers open fragile petals

wet with grateful dew-tears

for the light of another day

to display God magnificence

and His miracle touch to quicken

all the slumbering earth for its tasks:

“The firmament shows His handiwork.”

Each new day utters psalms

speaking forth its gratitude for being

sustained and ordered by God.

Night after night shows Divine patterns.

Nowhere is their witness

hidden from human eyes.

“Day unto day utters speech

and night unto night shows forth knowledge.”

Man, who looks upon these wonders

joins joyfully in unison

with earth and heaven above

to proclaim God's majesty and power

and overwhelming love—

and so do I!
***

TRANSFORMATION

I guess I have spring fever...or is it my allergy?

Each fresh spring God's lavish creation comes alive everywhere with multi-shades of green, pink, yellow, lavender and scents to match.

TRANSFORMATION

God is a Painter called spring

He takes the drab canvas

of leaden winter skies

dusky and dark

cinnamon hills, naked trees

ice-bound silent brooks

skeleton fences

and with a dip of His brush

into rich colors

He transforms all Nature

into a masterpiece of brilliance.

The ageless springtime scenario

is superimposed on skies of primary blue

set off by wisp-white cotton clouds

afloat like misshapen balloons

above hills daubed with multi-green.

Trees are splashed with blossoms

whose exhilarating fragrance intoxicates

and revives winter-sedated nostrils.

Brooks melt and once again

laugh with childish abandon.

Fences stretch eager arms

for scarlet tanager to perch and sing.

Posts and stumps are enhanced

with vines while morning glories

twine and cling.

God's cyclic miracle is displayed

alike in Nature's scene

and in my human heart.

O Divine Painter, my Christ,

I lay my life bare before You.

My worn winter canvas

is not fresh and clean, alas,

but botched and bungled

defaced by novice hands

of self and sin.

You take Redemption's brush

and recast my routine days

of grays and tedium

into a fresh adventure

with the Divine.

To You I turn my face

as Nature does so trustingly

in anticipation of Your skill

and I thrill to the artistic finesse

of Your delicate brush

transforming me, O Master Artist,

with Your vivid, lustrous colors

into spring again!

*****

“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature;

the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Used up—for God's purpose

(Excerpt from Chapter Three of Leona's book-in-progress ROCKING ON MY SUMMIT)

When one reaches the summit years, it is a temptation to feel “used up.” Energy is at a low ebb. Weariness is a constant companion. Goal setting has receded into the background. Life seems to have lost its purpose. Advanced age tends to pull fatigue along in its wake.

ENERGY CRISIS

Sometimes I rise up, Lord

and run great guns

bubbling with enthusiasm

when life is exciting and fun.

Lord, I sit down too, too often

in depression and deflation

discouraged, despondent

tired and limp, overwhelmed with life.

All I can do is slump in a lump

on the sofa and snooze.

I confess to an energy crisis.

From being a fireball

at start of the day

I soon call a halt

to life's hectic race

and crawl into bed

and drift away

hoping while sleeping

to recharge

my exhausted battery someway.

You know it all, Lord:

my downsittings

and my uprisings

and how often I vacillate

from one to the other.

You said You understand

and in that truth I rest

content to lean

with my ups and downs

upon Your breast.

“You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.” (Psalm 139:2)

George Bernard Shaw addressed the issue of maintaining one's purpose in perspective in a piece called “A Splendid Torch.” I have altered it with a few words in brackets to fit my Christian worldview. 

 

“This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community,[to GOD] and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it [for HIM] whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work,[WITH GOD'S ENABLING] the more I live.

Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

It is so easy in one's latter season of life to lose the fire, to be left with smoldering charcoal embers in one's spirit. I long for the burning heart of early years, the “first-love” flush, the touch and thrill of the Holy Spirit's moving in my soul. I long for the “fresh fire” of renewal, the breath of God stirring within, blowing on my charcoal embers to restore a glow—then a flame again. It is mine for the asking!

FRESH FIRE

Come, Holy Spirit!

Descend on me with FRESH FIRE

flames of Pentecost, tongues of FIRE

to burn away the dross of self

fall upon me, fill me, purify my soul

renew my stony heart to flesh.

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Light me once again AFIRE

transform me into a burning bush

yet not consumed, a living sacrifice

touch my lips with glowing coals until

I am fully possessed by You

to think holy thoughts and speak holy words.

I see reflected in Your holy FIRE

the brilliance of Your Manifest Presence

let the flames of Your searing love

blaze fiercely on the altar of my heart

never quenched, never diminished

a perpetual sacrifice of praise

as fragrant incense rising to Your throne.

Spirit of God, impart to me a burning heart

as I walk with Christ on my Emmaus road

fan the embers of my diminishing passion

back again to “first love” intensity.

Spirit of God, endue me with holy power

to spread Your FIRE to those within my reach

ignite their hearts ablaze and draw them

from the kingdom of darkness

to Your brilliant Kingdom of Light

by Your uncommon FIRE!

****

Search me, O Lord

(Excerpt from Chapter One, book in progress ROCKING ON MY SUMMIT)
 

Being at the summit also implies summary—I can benefit from writing an account of what I learned from the long, steep climb to reach this summit. Since the Lord has been my Master Teacher for most of my life, I should have learned a lot. Early in my life, I decided I would try to evaluate my journey as I went along to be sure I had the right goals in view, and that my life-ladder was leaning against the right house that God wanted to build of my life.

I’ve tried to live the examined life, which Plato said was the only life worth living. I didn’t want to arrive at my chronological top of the mountain with a backpack full of regrets, nor view the other side of the mountain with disillusionment, despair, or dread. At intervals, at least once a year, I've tried to set aside some time to ask myself specific, searching questions and write in a journal. My answers aren’t meant for anyone to see but God, the Searcher of hearts. 

 

I wish I had begun that self-evaluation practice earlier. Had I done so and continued it more regularly I could have prevented some detours for which I do have regrets. However, I don’t focus on those now. I repented of them, confessed them, turned from them and believe that God has forgiven me. I keep moving on. Among the questions I've asked myself are: 

 

Do I know God’s purpose for my life? What talents, capabilities, skills and gifts has God given me to carry out that purpose? What have been my specific life goals? Are they realistic, measurable, and attainable? Am I certain they are God’s goals for me to pursue? Have I been achieving my potential based on resources and opportunities God has given me? What real or imagined obstacles have I faced? What are my current limitations? Can I do anything about them? To what degree have I come to terms with them, and am accepting them joyfully? 

 

Am I in line with how God measures success, or do I try to live up to my own or other people’s expectations? Do I define my self-worth in terms of my accomplishments or my character? What cause, issue, or calling am I passionate about? Is it from God, from my own ambition, or imposed by others? Am I more concerned about personal satisfaction and happiness or how I can serve and encourage others? What were the darkest events or periods of my life? Did I grow through them or did they set me back? Do I see God’s hand in them for my good?

The closer I came to the top of my chronological mountain, the more time-sensitive my self-evaluation becomes. I ask myself:

From the perspective of an average life span, how many physically, mentally and spiritually productive or alert years might realistically lie ahead of me? In view of that, on what priorities should I focus? What “things of the world” or “cares of life” hinder my pursuit of eternal values and sap my time and strength? What could I eliminate or limit? Is there anything significant I am missing in my life? Should I still go for it or accept its absence? 

 

What benefits and bonus blessings has God given me at this time of my life for which I should specifically thank Him? Is my life characterized by joy and optimism or by complaint, negativism, defeat, depression, or regrets? Do I have a grateful, contented heart toward God, or am I frustrated about unfinished work, unfulfilled goals, broken dreams, or unsatisfactory relationships? Is Christ truly still the center of my life, or am I focused on a cause, a ministry, a person, or my own desires? Am I satisfied with what I have become and with what God in His omniscience decided to paint on the canvas of my life?

Such questions go to the core of my authentic self, my inner person, my eternal spirit created by God. I struggle over the honesty of my answers and what they expose of my inner life. My answers stir me to redeem the time God is still allotting me. Some answers cause me to shout with a grateful heart when I see how wisely God is leading me, especially when I have been prone to go off on detours. So often He lovingly jerks my leash and sometimes not so gently guides me into His best ways. Always I am energized by God’s absolute goodness and sovereign work in my life.

A NEW POPE SOON!

SERIES: CONVERSATIONS WITH JEFFREY

“Grandma, what's going on in the Catholic Church? I've seen news stories on TV about Pope Benedict XVI resigning next week, February 28. Why is he doing that?”

“The Pope apparently is not in good health and believes he is losing his strength and capability because of his age. He doesn't think he is well enough to be responsible for all the matters that concern the billions of Catholics all over the world.”

“Is the Pope older than you, Grandma? Do popes resign when they get old?”

“No, I am two years older than the Pope. He is only 85. Pope Benedict was already 78 when he was elected pope. In the past two thousand years since Jesus founded the Catholic Church and appointed the apostle Peter as the first leader of the Church, popes usually remained in office until they died.”

“Pope John Paul II, the pope before Pope Benedict, stayed pope until he died, didn't he? I was about 5 years old then and don't remember much about it but I've seen videos.”

“Pope John Paul was 84 when he died and very ill and weak with Parkinson's disease, but he showed us how to die courageously and faithfully. He didn't think God wanted him to resign.”

“Did any of the popes in history ever resign?”

“Six hundred years ago Pope Gregory XII resigned, but no one since. It's in the laws of the Catholic Church, however, that a pope may resign.”

“How will we get another pope?”

“The College of Cardinals....”

“Grandma, is that a school—like a college? I know they are leaders in the Church who wear red clothes and red hats, but tell me again what is a Cardinal?”

“Jeffrey, the word 'college' here simply means a group of all the Cardinals from everywhere in the world. They were usually Bishops first, and can only be appointed by a Pope. They live in their own countries unless a Pope calls them together for a conference to advise him about Church matters. They really have no ruling power except the really big responsibility God has given them to elect a successor to the pope if he dies or resigns.”

“How many Cardinals are there?”

“209 at present, but only those under 80 can vote for a new pope. They can be present but are not allowed to vote. So only 118 will actually vote.”

“Was Pope Benedict a Cardinal before he was elected pope?”

“Yes, and his birth name was Joseph Ratzinger. When a man is elected pope he chooses a different name that has some special meaning to him. Usually it is a similar name to a previous pope but with a different number behind it. Like Pope Benedict was the sixteenth pope to be called Benedict.”

“Do the Cardinals have to choose a pope from among themselves?”

“No, but they usually have done so. By Church law, I think that any unmarried Catholic man from anywhere in the world can be elected pope, even if he is not present at the time of their Conclave.”

“Is 'Conclave' what they call that special meeting of Cardinals?”

“Yes, they will assemble in Rome, Italy and represent all the Catholics on earth when they elect a new pope.”

“Where will they meet?”

“In the famous, beautiful Sistine Chapel in the Vatican State. There will be strict security and when they are all inside, the door will be locked and they must stay inside until they have elected a new pope. Each Cardinal will have a private room and private bath. Only 70 authorized people like doctors, cooks, and those with special duties can come and go.”

“No TV, radio, cell phones, Iphones, or other communication?”

“Nope. Totally isolated. The Conclave usually lasts only a few days until an election is final.”

“When will the Conclave start?”

“Apparently before the middle of March, when all the Cardinals will have arrived from other countries. We should have a new pope before Easter this year.”

“How do they decide who to elect?”

“They pray a whole lot and can talk among themselves but no one is supposed to put any pressure on anyone else to influence their choice. They are to ask the Holy Spirit to guide them to the right person whom God wants to be the successor of the apostle Peter to guide the worldwide Catholic Church.”

“Do they have a voting machine like when people elect a president or community officials?”

“No, they vote by secret ballot on a blank white card where they write the name of the person they feel should be the next pope. There are usually 4 ballots a day until a consensus is reached of two-thirds plus one for a name agreed upon.”

“What's that thing about smoke from the Chapel chimney?”

“It seems kind of old fashioned, but it is traditional through the centuries. The ballots are burned twice a day to create smoke coming out of the chimney. Previously they would mix wet straw with the paper ballots to create the color of smoke. Now they use some chemicals. If they have elected a pope, the color of the smoke is white. If no decision has yet been reached, the smoke is black or dark. Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting outside in Saint Peter's Square for the announcement.”

“How exciting that's going to be! And everybody will be able to see it on TV as soon as it happens. Then what goes on?”

“Bells throughout Rome will begin to ring and eventually a Church official will come out on the balcony of the Vatican and announce in Latin, “Habemus papam!” (We have a Pope!) Eventually the new pope will appear dressed in his new papal vestments. He will wave to the people for a long time during all the shouting and cheering and celebrating. Then he will address the people with a speech for the first time and announce the special name that he has taken for his pontificate.”

“Since Pope Benedict didn't die but resigned, what will he do from now on?”

“He says he will spend his time in private praying for God's will to be done in the world and for all of us. He will live in a small monastery in the Vatican gardens. Since a pope has never resigned in this way before, there are a lot of details we won't know right away.”

“Will he be known as Joseph Ratzinger again?”

“It seems that he will resume being a Cardinal and possibly take back his birth name, but those things are not certain. He has been a wonderful spiritual shepherd with a brilliant mind and significant accomplishments for the Catholic Church worldwide. He will be remembered especially as a writer of many important books on theology, Church teachings, and especially his recent three scholarly books on the 'Life of Jesus of Nazareth.' We need to continue to pray for him.”

“And let's pray for the new pope whoever God wants elected. Guess there could be some big surprises. Wow! This is history making stuff in 2013!”