Dear all,
We are approaching some of the richest, deepest, most dramatic, and hardest stories of our church year. Beginning on Palm Sunday, 3/24, we will enter Holy Week and through word and action tell the stories of Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem, the actions of his friends, his crucifixion, and his burial. We will speak out loud the words of betrayal, from Judas to Peter’s denial to the crowd’s condemnation; make our journey through the Stations of the Cross, grieve alongside Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Joses, and Salome. Only then will we gather in the darkness of the Easter Vigil to tell the story of salvation history beginning at Creation. Only then will we throw on the lights and embrace the joy of the resurrection.
The stories of Holy Week are on my mind this week because we are reading through them in Youth Bible Study (second and fourth Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm!). Two weeks ago we read through different narratives of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, which we mark on Palm Sunday. Yesterday we did the stories in Mark, Matthew, and John which we remember on Maundy Thursday (we ran out of time before getting to Luke!). Different questions come up with each new story and each version of it. When reading Palm Sunday stories we wondered together about what an analogous example in today’s world might be to Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem, and the Roman military procession it contrasts:
“What does the world expect power and might to look like?” we asked. “How does Jesus turn that on its head?” As a showing of might and power (at least in the eyes of the world), the presidential motorcade was offered as an example, while Jesus’s more humble entrance on a donkey was compared to an old, beat up VW Bug surrounded by kids on bicycles. Having learned that Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead before he arrived in Jerusalem, we wondered what similar kind of unbelievable – but deeply longed for – action would get people out to see Jesus today? “I remember feeling that way about the COVID vaccine,” someone said.
Reflecting on the stories of the Last Supper and the way Jesus washed his disciples feet, we wondered about Judas. What caused him to betray Jesus? Was he afraid? Overwhelmed by the political turmoil around Jesus? Was he greedy? Did he want power for himself? Or, as John writes, did it have something to do with Satan – and what about Satan, anyway? And, speaking of John – what’s up with this foot washing thing? Wasn’t there a Super Bowl commercial about it? What might a similar action be today?
Though they may at times seem long ago and far away, the stories of the Bible are our stories – the stories that we are living in the world today. Investigating the image and truth of power – reflecting on the cause of betrayal – longing for something that seems unbelievable – being invited to serve others in the most basic way – of new life after death – these are the very real and present stories that I have seen and heard in our parish, city, country, and world.
So though this invitation may seem a bit premature – we still have another 10 days before Palm Sunday! Lent isn’t over yet! – I wanted to invite you to mark your calendars now to join us for Palm Sunday (3/24), Maundy Thursday (3/28), Good Friday (3/29), and the Easter Vigil (3/30) (and Easter Sunday, of course!). Come and live the stories of Holy Week with our community, not only in the words of scripture but in the liturgical actions that help us remember them in our bodies as well as our hearts and minds. I wonder what reflections you will have? I wonder where you will find the stories in your own life?
Love,
Rebecca+