Plans of men

     Ah, the plans of mankind. In today's passage Jesus is betrayed by Judas. It's been all arranged. The plan has been set, the money paid and the betrayal all arranged ahead of time, ironically with a kiss and the kind words "Greetings Rabbi!" Then comes the other kind of human plan, reactionary, vindictive, compulsive, perhaps a 'manly' solution, drawing a sword and cutting off a poor chaps ear.

      My sainted mother-in-law had a habit of saying "men plan, God laughs". It really is quite true. We try to plan everything with great detail as if we are really in charge of something. We try to plan our kids lives as if we own them instead of the fact that they are merely entrusted to our care for safe keeping and nurturing. We try to plan life as if we are guaranteed something when we are in fact guaranteed nothing.  It culd all be over in the blink of an eye.

        I am not one to say that you should live life willy nilly with no concern for the future. I would say we should live for today and keep God's will in the equation.  If God can plan a universe, I think she can make things work out for each of us. What we may need to do is not be so reactionary and perhaps less controlling. Maybe we could step out of the way and let God be the way. Just a thought. 

Matthew 26:47-56

 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’ At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.