Holy Week

What words can capture the drama… the tragedy… the hope… and the miracle of this week? Every year I struggle to put words to the unimaginable… the brutal injustice of this world and God’s grace-filled response. Today, my words fall short, so I want to share the words of those who speak more eloquently than I. I hope these words help to prepare you for the journey ahead.

Holy is the week…
Holy, consecrated, belonging to God…
We move from hosannas to horror
with the predictable ease
of those who know not what they do.
Our hosannas sung,
our palms waved.,
let us go with passion into this week.
It is a time to curse fig trees that do not yield fruit.
It is a time to cleanse our temples of any blasphemy.
It is a time to greet Jesus as the Lord’s Anointed One,
to lavishly break our alabaster
and pour perfume out for him
without counting the cost.
It is a time for preparation…
The time to give thanks and break bread is upon us.
The time to give thanks and drink of the cup is imminent.
Eat, drink, remember:
On this night of nights, each one must ask,
as we dip our bread in the wine,
“Is it I?”
And on the darkest of days, each of us must stand
beneath the tree
and watch the dying
if we are to be there
when the stone is rolled away.
- Ann Weems

Jesus doesn’t give an explanation for the pain and sorrow of the world.
He comes where the pain is most acute and takes it upon himself.
Jesus doesn’t explain why there is suffering, illness, and death in the world.
He brings healing and hope.
Jesus doesn’t allow the problem of evil to be the subject of a seminar.
He allows evil to do its worst to him.
He exhausts it, drains its power, and emerges with new life.

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you… This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me… This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.
-Jesus -Luke 22:15, 19-20

My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.
-Jesus- Matthew 26:38

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Today you shall be with me in paradise.
Woman, behold, your son… behold, your mother.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
I thirst.
It is finished.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
-Jesus from the cross

Peace be with you. Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see… - Jesus after resurrection- Luke 24:36-38

The Lamb has been slain,
and the sheep have scattered.
Now is the time for kneeling,
the time for believers
to kneel and call upon his name,
to kneel
and to rise again,
 the community of the resurrection.
-Ann Weems

With you on the journey from table to cross to empty tomb,
Anita