In The Odyssey, there is a scene that takes place near the end of the story. Odysseus returns home after many years of wandering. He is in disguise as an old man. At first nobody recognizes him, not even his wife and child. One night before bed, Odysseus' aged nurse bathes him. At first, she thinks he is just a stranger; but while bathing him, she recognizes a scar on his leg.

Recently, The Cincinnati Enquirer told the story of a man who donated 80 gallons of blood. He is the record holder for the local blood bank. According to the report, if 60 people gave every drop of blood in their bodies, it would not equal what he has given. His name is Paul Michaels, age 78. It would be notable if we could show that kind of commitment to the cause of Christ. He set the example. He gave His lifeblood for us.

Journalist Robert MacNeil once wrote, "I associate different emotions with traveling toward the different points of the compass. Going east is going back to where we all came from, toward the dawn; to the west is escape, adventure, the pull of the sunset. Going south brings an anticipation of languor, of being enfolded in limpid air. When I head north, my blood quickens-it takes a special people to live where nature makes it so hard."

When Julius Caesar came to Alexandria, he was show the coffin of Alexander the Great. He then was asked if he would like to see Ptolemy's coffin. He said, "I came to see a king, not a corpse." When we come to church, we come to see a King, not a corpse!

There is much to be learned from reading epitaphs. There is a wonderful epitaph on the grave of a Patience Holmes. It is so popular that it has been used on many other gravestones in New England. Patience died in 1845, age 24, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The epitaph says:

Years ago when Bishop Brown of the Episcopal Church came to speak in Virginia's historic St. Luke's Church, Isle of Wight County, he said, "It has been said that Bishop Brown wants to be buried in St. Luke's graveyard. That's nonsense. I'm here to tell you that Bishop Brown doesn't want to be buried anywhere."

Is it possible that what begins as a memorial can become a presence? Imagine if you stood before the Washington Monument and suddenly the father of our country was at your side. When we come around the Lord's Table, we come to a memorial of the dying Christ and find ourselves suddenly confronted with the living Christ.

According to recent news reports, in Greensboro, N.C., an 11-year-old boy discovered a purse with $2,000 inside. The boy suspected it was stolen and turned it in to police. The boy, Edward Myers, was helping plant trees in a park when he found the purse. He could be an example to people much older. We also can hope for a day when honesty does not surprise people.

In Mel Lazarus' comic "Momma," the title character is visiting her shiftless son who is still in bed. She says, "Francis, do you ever think about the challenges in life?" He replies, "Constantly, Momma. I've been doing it for years-and have actually figured out how to avoid most of them." Challenges come to all. There is no way, no matter how much we wish it so, to avoid the challenges of life.

In Saratoga, N.Y., there is a strange monument. It is comprised of a sculpture of a boot and an inscription of praise that never mentions by name the one being memorialized. The monument is in honor of Benedict Arnold, a brave Revolutionary War general before he became a traitor.