Discerning a Call 3 of 4: Encounters with Christ
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4.18, 19
It is 1989. I am 12 years old. My family sits with other families in the church basement. I notice it is just families and wonder if there is significance to that — I never found out. All the lights are out. I see the shrouded cross by candlelight. This is a Maundy Thursday service and the pastor is describing the Passion in graphic terms. Each station of the cross is marked by extinguishing a candle. The service concludes with the snuffing of the Christ candle. We exit in silence. I am in tears. My parents attempt to comfort me by explaining the crucifixion, This is how much Jesus loves us; he died even though we are the ones who did the wrong things. I cry the entire ride home because, at the age of 12, I already know what it means to sacrifice yourself for others and that expecting anyone to do it is wrong. I feel Jesus with me and I know he is crying, too.
