Holy Weekend

Holy Week has begun in earnest and we are in the thick of it.

Tonight we will gather as the disciples did two thousand years ago on the last night of Jesus’s earthly life. They did not know it was the last time. But he did and he knew that he must get at least some things through to them in those final hours before everything fell apart.

Tonight we will follow after Supper as Jesus is arrested and tried and lead away. It will not be easy. It will not be fun. Yet it is one of the two most important days of our year. It is a twin of sorts – a necessary piece of the heart of God’s love for us. Arms stretched open wide to show us just how deep that love really goes. Willing to take all that pain, all that torture, all that degradation for us. And we will shroud ourselves in shadows, letting the light diminish until…

Tomorrow we will gather again with our neighbors in Christ at the moment when Jesus was crucified to hear what words he said from the cross. We will listen and sing and hear poetic reflections. It is a pause as we remember when even Creation itself broke open as Christ drew his final breath.

And then we wait.

Yes. There will be a wonderful celebration to come on Sunday, with trumpets and bells, and children, and Communion, and organ, and hymns of praise! It will be a brilliant resurrection day. The other twin – a bright and shinning light in the heart of God’s love for us. A power, Love stronger than death itself.

Still, we must not forget that the weekend is a passage. Meant to be together. A path to walk that we might know God more. And, just as importantly, grow in our family of faith’s bond, as well – as Christ always wanted.

See you soon.

Blessings, Pastor Janie