Dearly Beloved,
We wrestled this last Sunday with that question: "Who do you say that I am?" Who do you (we) say that Jesus is? Who is God?" And how is our answer to that question connected to how we can answer the question: "Who are you?" I find myself steeped in this wondering. Who is Jesus? Who is Christ? Who do I say that Christ is? And who am I? Do those things align? Am I working to align more closely who I am with who I confess Christ to be?
Over the next few days, I want to share with you some reflections on Holy Week. Because I think journeying through the whole story helps us deepen our wondering. It complicates and nuances it even as it answers some of our questions. I encourage you to read Mark's account of these last days (two short chapters): Mark 14-15 . If you're curious about how the other Gospel writers' accounts are different, you can find those narratives in Matthew 21 & Matthew 26-27; Luke 22-23; and John 13-19.
On this Wednesday of Holy Week, I think these words by Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney are thoughtful and thought provoking:
Wednesday: An Ancient Hope
From the choking dust and still smouldering ashes of the fallen Judean monarchy Ezekiel saw visions of continued life, hope and national resurrection. That hope endured and was confirmed during the Maccabean revolt and their brief period of sovereignty. And now, under Roman occupation, the people turn once again to their ancient hope. The psalm speaks of a God who is light and love and above all, whose love is faithful. The epistle insists that as God is life, light and love, we who are God’s children must also be characterized by light and love and, that in that is our strength to resist and overcome evil. In the gospel reading appointed for today, Jesus grieves deeply for the mother city Jerusalem that is also the daughter city of God. He grieves for her people, God’s children, his sisters and brothers, aunties and uncles, cousins and kinfolk, and wishes that he could wrap his arms around them as a mother hen wraps her wings around her chicks. His love is poignant and prescient because Jerusalem is, in his words, a city that kills her prophets.
There’s something different about Jesus lately. Have you seen him? He doesn’t seem to laugh or smile as much. There is a shadow in his eyes. I don’t believe he will be with us long. The shadow of death is following him…
In what ways is that shadow of death familiar to you?
Where does it live in your life? In our wider society and culture?
I invite you to pay attention to that shadow of death today, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday in particular.
Please do join us tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:00 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church (across highway 287) for a Community Maundy Thursday service. Friday, we will hold our Community Good Friday worship at First Christian Church (2000 N Lincoln Avenue) at 7:00 pm. Our Easter Sunrise service will be at 6:30 am on Sunday morning at the Kauffmans' home (502 S CR 9E, Loveland). And on Sunday, we will celebrate Easter with our choir cantata and communion here at 10:00 am. That will be followed by our annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Holding you and all of our questions, all that is unsolved in my own heart and in yours, during this truly Holy Week,
Thandiwe
