If I could travel back or forward in time, where would I stop and why? It's a great question. I remember answering this question a few times before. When I was an innocent little girl, I said that I would like to meet Jesus. He and I were cool back then, and I imagined sitting among the other little children in his lap and around his feet in all of those cartoon images I studied in Sunday School. Later, as a snarky (but still innocent for the most part) teenager, I gave the same answer: That I would want to go back in time and meet Jesus, but for a different reason. This time it would be to experience him as a real person, and not just an untouchable figure head. I wanted to experience his wisdom and his gentleness.Now, if I were to answer the same, and I'm not sure I would, I think I'd want to see Jesus to blatantly ask, "What the hell? Seriously. Because if this is what you were meant to represent, then stay out of Gethsemane. People are really going to screw this up and maybe it would be better to not be the human sacrifice." (sigh)
I mean that in the most reverent way possible.
Probably, though, I'd rather not travel so far back. Things happen, and just as we need our own faults to become the people we are, we need history to help define who we are. And anyway, there are too many atrocities to try and prevent to pick just one. Conversely, the future is too scary to navigate. That leaves me here - in this time and in this place. If I hope to move anywhere it is forward to when I'm finished grading the billions of compositions in my inbox. Relief won't truly come until June, a hazard of the job. Until then, I trudge along.. seemingly in slow motion.
This post was inspired by the Loose Bloggers Consortium, a small and feisty(!) global community. We write weekly on a common topic (Time Travel, this week) and post responses - all of us together, simultaneously, from all over the world. (Lovely!) Please visit Anu, Ashok, Conrad, gaelikaa, Grannymar, Judy, Magpie 11, Maria and Ramana for other wonderful posts.
8 comments:
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info@oasistravelindia.com
Safe travels!
I would very much like to go back and experience what being with Jesus was like before all the religious wrappers were put in place and Christianity became the conflicted institutional behemoth that seems to represent him so poorly. And, I would ask him whether he wanted me to refer to Him or to him. Somehow, I suspect more of the latter than people will allow.
Conrad,
You said it much better than I could, and I completely agree with your comment. I might like to go back and take a peek at Mary Magdelyn's role in early Christianity, but that is just my feminist curiousity raising its head.
Ginger,
I know how difficult and tiring the correcting of papers can be. So for you and every other teacher, I wish that each day have 28 hours - four extra for correcting papers. I admire you for taking time out to post.
I might be right behind you with those questions. The ideals we were taught were so very unreal compared to the reality of everyday life that I was expected to live. Sigh!o
I have always been fascinated by time travel. I would only care to go back and not further than the mid-late 1880s.
Yeah, I agree with all. Can you imagine our conversation with Jesus, especially if we could remember our present? But I think he would still sacrifice himself for us. Very good post.
Trudge away Ginger, just keep remembering that I am doing the same thing over here in India.
Ginger - He thought mankind was worth it. That's why He let Himself be the sacrifice. I happen to agree with Him, no matter what. I am so glad He thought I was worth it....
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