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Showing posts from April, 2012

Wait and See

We've done all we can do. We've marked Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, his passion and his passing. Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday: all are history. Now, there is nothing left to do. Except wait. And pray. And be faithful. And keep vigil. And trust in God's promise of everlasting life. And see. For soon there will be something amazing, something wondrous, something transformative, something infused with boundless, healing love to see. You can count it.

The Clouds Gather

It will soon be noon and we'll begin out three hour Good Friday afternoon vigil. Some of us will be able to sit, pray, and meditate for the entire time, others may just be able to snatch away a few moments. We may have he luxury of time today or we may be pressed to get things done. No matter. We will all be called to bear witness to the cross, each in his or her own way. We will all be given the chance to stand by our Lord in his time of trial, each in his or her own way. We will all be blessed by God's love, a love that will prevail, even at the darkest, direst of times.

And So It Begins ...

It's hard to believe, but our Lenten journey has brought us to the Triduum, the three great days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. It will be easy at times to allow our thoughts to skip forward to Easter Sunday, with its celebrations, music, and joy. But if every there was a moment to be focused on the present, it is now. We must confront the darkness, the loss, and the despair that will tinge these next few days. Not because we are masochists, not because we revel in the depressing, but because by doing so we will be able to fully appreciate the scope and scale of the miracle that God works through Jesus for all of Creation.

'Nuff Said

Some have traveled to the far ends of the Earth seeking enlightment, scaling mountains, fording rivers, braving deserts. I only needed to go to Hanover for breakfast. This morning I pulled into a spot on Main Street, got out of my car, and noticed the vehicle to my left was sporting a bumper sticker that proclaimed: Grace happens. It sure does! And it's worth remembering, holding onto, trusting in, as we make our way into the heart of Holy Week. My you experience grace happening this day and every day.

Perspective

The opportunities to rant today are manifold: the continued fallout from the Trayvon Martin shooting, the Maryland lottery winner who may be stiffing her co-workers of their share of a nine figure jackpot, a Newsweek cover story titled "Forget the church, follow Jesus," a Kentucky blowout in last night's NCAA championship that confirmed just how corrupt and cynical college sports have become. The list goes on. Then I learned that the National Gallery in London has launched a new on-line feature called "Easter at the Gallery" featuring images from their collection (http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/easter/). Fulminate or appreciate? Art wins out and I give thanks for this providential gift that helped me focus on something affirming rather than discouraging.

Calm Before the Storm

The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week occupy a unique place on the liturgical calendar, falling between the epic events of Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday. These days have no name, carry no adjectives. Yet in their anonymity, they hold great power. In their silence, they call our attention to the storm that is about to break, giving us a chance to prepare for what will come. If you can, find some time these next three days to sit quietly and reflect on your Lenten journey to date - and where you think you might be heading. Ask God for illumination, grace, and forgiveness. And get ready for the harrowing, but ultimately life affirming adventure, that will soon begin.

Sunday ...

Sunday ... Earlier today Chip asked if we knew why the day was called "Sunday." As five year olds are wont to do, he then proceeded to offer an answer: "It's called Sunday because Jesus is God's son." Cleric that I am, I can work with that! Seriously, though. While my son's etymological offering may be flawed, he's right that this day is the Son's Day. We've celebrated Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with great excitement, joy -- and foreboding. We've envisioned the crowds and the cheering -- and images of what's to come. As we've done so, we've also hopefully had a chance to steel ourselves for the darkness that will gather, knowing that as bleak as things may seem, God's love will triumph in the end.