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| Benched by Lisa Molitor |
This post is part of an on-going Lenten series that began Ash Wednesday.
"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
And after had had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
When evening came, he was there alone," (Matthew 14:22-23)
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"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
The pain of disappointment is the face from my "inner crowd" that has been present the last few days. When something doesn't go as I wished and prayed for. Disappointment feels deflating - at just the time when I need energy to gather resources and change direction. I want Jesus to dismiss the pain of disappointment the same way he dismissed the crowd in the 14th chapter of Matthew's gospel. Instead, Jesus is with me in the pain of disappointment. He sighs deep sighs with me - and with you.
The woman in Lisa Molitor's painting sits herself all the way to the edge of the bench - and her posture seems slumped and curled. Her hand holds the armrest almost as if she's steadying herself. She gazes into the unseen distance.
Today's vista and prayer:
- Have you felt the pain of disappointment recently?
- How does Molitor's painting speak to you?
- We pray: Jesus, long ago you dismissed the crowd to be alone with God. On another occasion you saw the crowd and were moved with compassion. Be with me in the pain of disappointment. Let me know the warmth and steadiness of your compassion. Amen.
