Monday, Third Week of Lent

Do We Long for New Life or Old Life?

"Death is not the enemy who puts an end to everything but the friend who takes us by the hand leads us into the Kingdo of eternal love."   Henri Nouwen

I had the privilege of being mentored by and friends with Walter Bauman, systematic theologian.  He was a huge bear of a man, and an intellectual powerhouse.  Most seminarians felt strongly about Walter.  Either you wanted to be with him frequently and take every class he offered, or you dreaded his appearance and any time you would be required to listen to him.

I was in the first grouping.

I was only able to take two of his classes.  But something clicked between Walt and me, and we enjoyed a friendship that was surprisingly informal.  Walt's theological complexity and his vast store of biblical knowledge could have eclipsed my passionate love for Christ that was rooted in the silence and simplicity of the heart.  But they didn't.

Our different approaches to the power of Baptism and the meaning of the Cross complemented, clarified and sustained one another.  I was grounded by threads of Walt's sense of systematics, and he  said he was uplifted by the joy of my mystical sensibility of God's presence.

I visited Walt several days before he died  He was no longer a big bear, and his voice and his mind had taken a soft tone.  But his eyes were bright and his smile became radiant when he said:  "Pamela, do you realize that in a very short time I will be with Jesus?  Now THAT excites me!"

Thank you, Walt, for walking life's path with me. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this life on earth -- goodness, we did laugh together!

Walt did love life.  He loved ice cold martinis.  He loved sitting on the deck with warm summer breezes.  He loved Bach and the theater and chocolate covered apricots and a good joke!

And he loved Jesus.  And he longed for the new life.  And I know he was not disappointed.

And neither will you or I!!!!

Prayer:  O Lord, help me to make union with you the desire that most deeply affects my daily life--and my attitude toward my death.

                                        (From Pamela's Sketch Book)