I don't care if it rains or feezes, long as I have my hand-carved Jesus.....
I had a lunch meeting today with the pastor of a congregation I preached at for a while as a sort of "step-pastor." This pastor is in the Reserves and we all know what happens to Reservists in this man's America. So while she was gone I preached for her folks plus my own and those at the Rescue Mission, too, each Sunday -- for a year.
We met at a little bistro in the mall and when I got to the table, there on it lay Jesus. Yes, I saw Jesus at the mall. Actually, it was a crucifix--a remarkably beautiful hand-carved work of art done by a New Mexico Artist named Alex Vallejos. One of the members of her flock is a personal friend of the artist and had it made for me as a thank you gift for taking care of them while their pastor was away.
I was moved. This is no shabby little token of appreciation. It's a collector's item to be passed down through the family for years to come. Jesus--bleeding, writhing, dying--on a 20"tall cross of pinon wood.
When lunch was over I took up my cross (Jesus and all) and headed for my car via the ladies room and a quick stop-off at Sears. It was as I was manuevering through the crowded restroom toward the one empty stall that I became aware of the effect my gift was having on others.
I live in El Paso, Texas. 9 out of 10 people on the street, or in the ladies room, are Roman Catholic. Jesus-on-the-cross art carries a lot of baggage for these folks.
I spoke at a women's retreat a few years ago and on that particular day I was wearing a small crucifix around my neck. After the talk a woman came up to me and said quite cryptically, "I'm glad you're one of ours."
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"One of ours...." She answered, touching the crucifix around her own neck and raising her eyebrows as she conveyed her message.
"Oh!" I got it. "I'm not Catholic, but I am one of HIS." I said, touching my own crucifix.
Protestants don't really get into Jesus-on-the-cross art. They like the empty cross. They say it is a sign of hope and victory. I think they're just hemophobic.
A sweet protestant saint tells of going to the jewelry counter at Walmart in her west Texas home town. She had lost the little gold cross she wore around her neck and wanted to replace it so she asked the man at the counter if she could look at the crosses in the display case. He said, "Sure, lady. Do you want a plain one or one with the little man on it?"
I had one with the little man on it...in the ladies room and I was taking it into the stall where I would, well--you know--and so did they.
It was an odd moment.
I was careful to lay him down gently on counter after I had finished my business. And I washed my hands much more thoroughly than I might otherwise have as the curious looked on.
Leaving the busy restaurant and making my way into the mall, I became very conscious of my cargo. How do you carry Jesus at the mall?
Do you tuck him under your arm?
Do you hold the cross by the base and let it swing by your side in rhythm with your step?
Do you face him against your chest and cross your arms over him, hoping nobody will really notice?
Or do you just grasp that cross in your extended hand and march through the mall boldly as if you are repelling vampires?
I probably should have asked for a to-go bag at the restaurant.
We met at a little bistro in the mall and when I got to the table, there on it lay Jesus. Yes, I saw Jesus at the mall. Actually, it was a crucifix--a remarkably beautiful hand-carved work of art done by a New Mexico Artist named Alex Vallejos. One of the members of her flock is a personal friend of the artist and had it made for me as a thank you gift for taking care of them while their pastor was away.
I was moved. This is no shabby little token of appreciation. It's a collector's item to be passed down through the family for years to come. Jesus--bleeding, writhing, dying--on a 20"tall cross of pinon wood.
When lunch was over I took up my cross (Jesus and all) and headed for my car via the ladies room and a quick stop-off at Sears. It was as I was manuevering through the crowded restroom toward the one empty stall that I became aware of the effect my gift was having on others.
I live in El Paso, Texas. 9 out of 10 people on the street, or in the ladies room, are Roman Catholic. Jesus-on-the-cross art carries a lot of baggage for these folks.
I spoke at a women's retreat a few years ago and on that particular day I was wearing a small crucifix around my neck. After the talk a woman came up to me and said quite cryptically, "I'm glad you're one of ours."
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"One of ours...." She answered, touching the crucifix around her own neck and raising her eyebrows as she conveyed her message.
"Oh!" I got it. "I'm not Catholic, but I am one of HIS." I said, touching my own crucifix.
Protestants don't really get into Jesus-on-the-cross art. They like the empty cross. They say it is a sign of hope and victory. I think they're just hemophobic.
A sweet protestant saint tells of going to the jewelry counter at Walmart in her west Texas home town. She had lost the little gold cross she wore around her neck and wanted to replace it so she asked the man at the counter if she could look at the crosses in the display case. He said, "Sure, lady. Do you want a plain one or one with the little man on it?"
I had one with the little man on it...in the ladies room and I was taking it into the stall where I would, well--you know--and so did they.
It was an odd moment.
I was careful to lay him down gently on counter after I had finished my business. And I washed my hands much more thoroughly than I might otherwise have as the curious looked on.
Leaving the busy restaurant and making my way into the mall, I became very conscious of my cargo. How do you carry Jesus at the mall?
Do you tuck him under your arm?
Do you hold the cross by the base and let it swing by your side in rhythm with your step?
Do you face him against your chest and cross your arms over him, hoping nobody will really notice?
Or do you just grasp that cross in your extended hand and march through the mall boldly as if you are repelling vampires?
I probably should have asked for a to-go bag at the restaurant.
1 Comments:
Wow, you are very good. I think that you would really enjoy speaking with my good friend, Cornelius, who is a married United Methodist pastor in North Carolina.
There is a fantastic program called Skype which is free. You can read about as well as download it at http://skype.com truly you will be amazed at the quality. Just add Cornelius to your contact list and include a note that you are Pastor Ellen and when you see him online give him a call. His Skype name is Corneliusfb. Just tell him that Liberal Christian asked you to call ;).
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