Our journey through the Lenten season is almost over. The light is shining in the distance, but the most difficult terrain is yet before us—between us and the horizon.
The mystery of our faith is perhaps most challenging here, in this “in-between”, as we acknowledge the violence born of fear and misunderstanding on Good Friday, while still anticipating the immeasurable grace experienced three days later.
Betrayal, humiliation, torture, and hate, met with mercy, forgiveness, healing, and love.
In these days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (the Triduum, if you’d like to be nerdy with me), when we remember Jesus’ trial, death, and burial, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the suffering we, and our world, experience in the absence of love. What are the consequences when we choose to abandon, or betray, or withhold love? What are the natural ends when we choose not to love as Jesus taught; not to love others as God loves us?
This is the reality we must wade through on our way to the first light of Easter, so that when we hear the voice of our resurrected savior, we will comprehend the immense gift given to us in the empowering, transforming, saving choice to live, eternally, in God’s love.
May we be blessed this Holy Week, and celebrate with joy and thanksgiving God’s love this Easter.
With hope,
Pastor Darin
