Mary Hopkins writes...

As my thoughts went to Jesus this Lent, I thought I mightwrite a poem, but could not. I can only offer what I have in mind. My thoughts went to the beginning of Matthew 8:27,"What sort of man is this? What would happen if I inserted after the word this what appears in scripture --or other phrases, thoughts -- that even the winds and the sea obey him? that heals the physically and mentally ill? that challenges hypocrites? that prays without ceasing? that talks about forgiving seventy times seven? What manner of man is this?

None of us can see him face to face, and even in my imagination his face remains hidden. But all day long I feel a current as of flowing water repeating the words,"This is my beloved son, my beloved, beloved, beloved. Listen to him, listen, listen."

And so we listen to him and we observe what he does. And as disciples we follow, we try to imitate. We look to see if we can have his mind in us, a mind that was free, yet obedient. Paul in the letter to the Philippians writes, "..though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, . . being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross."(Philippines 2:6-8) The letter continues with the manner in which God has exalted this Jesus. We know that Easter follows, a gift of grace to us.