The Agony and the Ecstasy

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Matthew 12: 14-21

(12:20) A bruised reed shall he not break,
And smoking flax shall he not quench …

In the Media we learned of a man who suffered an accident, had extreme brain damage and has been paralysed. He has been lying in a special hospital for twelve months.

Family and friends came to the conclusion that the technology support should be terminated.

At that point the Doctors detected from the man’s eyes some reaction. The Doctors could get a response by his eyes. He was indicating that “I want to live”.

“A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench”.

The mystery of life is the life, a life within a life, within a life, within a life …

In our lives, whatever the limitations, disabilities, age or illness, is our hidden lives of grace, prayer, and response.

And so begin the offering of our Community Mass.

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Commentary PNT:

Mat 12:20 -

A bruised reed shall he not break. The reed, a hollow cylinder, if bruised has its strength destroyed. It thus becomes the symbol of the bruised spirit. The tender Savior will not break, but heal.

Smoking flax. The wick of the lamp that had ceased to burn clearly. The violent would put it out and fling it away. The Lord does not use such violence with those disciples who give forth some light, even if it is imperfect.

Till he send forth judgment. Till he shall sit in power and triumph on the throne of judgment.

Agony & Ecstasy

The great 1965 motion picture 'The Agony and the Ecstasy', which I have not seen, portrayed Michelangelo the great artist on a scaffold, painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. There is this scene were the Pope, Julius II, Michelangelo's patron and often hard-driving taskmaster, mounts the scaffold in absolute fascination to see the great artist's depiction of God Himself. Looking into the face of God, Pope Julius asks Michelangelo: 'Is that how you see Him, my son?'. How do you see Him? It is my prayer that you will see Him, this morning, as One who will not break the bruised reed, will not quench the smoking flax - and that your soul too will be quieted, soothed, comforted, encouraged and healed.

http://www.preachtheword.com/sermon/misc0075-bruisedreed.shtml