The Ides of March came
and went without much ado. Falling
on the 15th of March, it was a significant date in ancient Rome. It
gained notoriety due to a pivotal event that occurred in 44 BCE. It marks
the assassination of Julius Caesar. A group of senators, led by Brutus, believed that Caesar's growing power threatened the Roman
Republic. The assassination took place in the Theatre of Pompey in Rome, forever altering the course of
history. As the daggers struck Caesar, he reportedly uttered the famous
phrase,“Et tu, Brute?” (meaning “And you,
Brutus?”). My high school Latin teacher retold this event like a fairytale-bedtime
story. Even bad players have so-called friends. The betrayal by Caesar’s close friend Brutus added a tragic and
dramatic element.
Since this is Holy week, I hesitate giving Julius Caesar a place on my blog, but characters like Caesar had an impact on the Easter story. Palm Sunday (last Sunday) is the celebration of Jesus' ride into Jerusalem. Palm branches are symbolic of God's temporary shelters or "tabernacles" that God provided the Israelites in the wilderness. We will embrace Good Friday, the day Christ was crucified, and Sunday Sunrise Service early Easter morning to celebrate our Risen Savior. Looking further ahead comes the solar eclipse, the rare astronomical phenomenon, a total solar
eclipse on April 8th. This year’s eclipse will persist for nearly
four-plus minutes. The moon will completely block out the sun, casting darkness
over the Earth. The sun will be near solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year
activity cycle. Expect bright,
petal-like streamers of plasma extending from the sun. Scientists anticipate a
potential coronal mass ejection, a massive puff of hot gas ejected from the
sun’s surface. Approximately thirty-two million people will find themselves
within the path of totality, stretching across North America. The eclipse will begin
at 12:10 p.m. Mountain Time, cross the United States, and exit through
southeastern Canada around 5:15 p.m. Most libraries carry viewing glasses;
however, experts warn that glasses must be of a certain thickness or you could damage your eyes.
As we reflect on the Ides of March, Easter, and anticipate the solar
eclipse, let’s marvel at the intersection of history and the cosmos. How are
they linked? My viewpoint: Friends do not need a historical date to drive a
knife (sadly), my Lord and Savior is in control, and the unstoppable eclipse reminds us of how fragile we really are.
Remember to mark your calendars for April 8, 2024, and step
outside to witness the moon’s dance with the sun—a spectacle that transcends
time and connects us to the vast universe. In the meantime, I will celebrate with you the love and faithfulness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24: 6-7 KJV
May your friends be true, and your sense of awe
boundless.
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