Getting Rid Of The Rubbish

Today’s the day for getting rid of rubbish.

I’ve put out our blue bin containing our recyclable waste, and our green bin containing our garden waste… twigs and branches, weeds, moss raked from the grass that won’t rot on the compost heap…

Later today I’m taking an old mattress to our local dump; I’ve a couple of wooden pallets that I’ll pull apart, separating good, reusable wood from old nails and wood that’s split and useless…

Yesterday’s news included the conviction of 21 people for their role in the child sex abuse case in the West Midlands… The victims were aged up to 12…

Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor said: “The offenders in this case perpetrated the most appalling catalogue of sexual abuse of the utmost gravity causing the victims physical harm and extreme psychological harm….”

Child sex abuse and cruelty is rubbish that we would all wish to be rid of.

There was another court case thousands of miles away… Donald Trump’s indictment in New York… We saw reports of the court case… his ‘not-guilty’ plea… his subsequent passionate speech… demonstrators and demonstrations of support and opposition.

There were interviews with his supporters who think he’s a victim, the hero-bin-man to get rid of the rubbish. There were interviews with his opponents who think he’s a criminal, the rubbish to be disposed of!

Today’s Maundy Thursday… approaching the end of Lent and Holy Week… the time for sorting out the rubbish… what’s for keeping, what’s for throwing out, what’s for recycling…

It’s the day when Jesus…

…washes his disciples’ feet… reminding us that the way forward is in gentleness, humility, service…

…instigates the last supper… reminding us constantly of the body and blood of a suffering Jesus…

…prays alone… ‘Take away the rubbish – it’s too heavy for me to carry!’… perhaps an unanswered prayer.

…Yet through the apparently accumulating rubbish of Maundy Thursday Jesus retains his faith… His Father-God will bring him through and sort out all the rubbish…