Stop by Barry Hughes

How interesting to come upon this random message this morning on my walk. STOP. Was it a message that was begun but never finished? Was it the work of a young mom or dad pushed to the edge by kids with cabin fever, their verbal version of the painting, “The Scream”? Was it a line marked in the sand - or concrete - saying, “ you can ride your scooter to this point and no further? I’ll never know.

But it struck me that this is Wednesday of Holy Week. Preachers and scholars have tried throughout the centuries to place certain events in Jesus’ life on each day of Holy Week. Wednesday is sometimes called “Silent Wednesday”. It seems that perhaps nothing of much significance happened on this middle of the week day.

But I think perhaps the most important thing happened. Perhaps Jesus saw the STOP sign and spent the day preparing for the Thursday and Friday that lay ahead. Perhaps he fasted and prayed. Perhaps he reflected on the journey to which God had called him. Perhaps he spent time thinking of each person he loved along the way.

What would happen in our life if we STOP and prepare for these Holy days ahead?

Peace.