Reflections on Jesus' struggle with doing the will of his father ... and ours with a story about Bishop Wright opinion on flight.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:42
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

STORY:
A bishop of a century ago pronounced from his pulpit and in the periodical he edited that heavier-than-air flight was both impossible and contrary to the will of God. Oh, the irony that Bishop Wright had two sons, Orville and Wilbur! Wright was wrong. Sure of himself, but wrong.

OBSERVATION:
It is Holy Thursday. A last meal is eaten. He prays in the Garden. It is Holy. It is struggle time. Doing what God wanted him to do is in question. Never easy this will of God stuff.

I’m not sure the story about Bishop Wright’s life is more urban legend than truth, but it makes an interesting point. We often “blame” our opinion(s) on the will of God. God probably doesn’t care on most of the “will” issues one way or another … it just sounds good to say it.

A good approach is to ask, is it a Kingdom issue. Kingdom issues are life and death concerns. Sacrifice is normally required. Going where it is uncomfortable … painful … is not easy. Making life-altering decisions can stop anyone in their journey.

Jesus struggled. We pause to remember that struggle. That sacrifice. That commitment. It is holy time.

PRAYER:
Allow us to go with Jesus to the Upper Room, Holy Father. Allow us to sit around the table with the disciples. Allow us to experience the sharing of the cup and bread. Allow us to go with him to the Garden. To pray with him. To see the drops of sweat like drops of blood. This is holy time. May our day be marked by your presence. Amen.