Holy Week is a Microcosm of Life Itself!
Bulbs buried
deep in soil until eruption
time comes, then not falling to
the desire of burrowing
until warmer days but reaching
to the Light.
Jesus’ life
culminates this week after
three short years of loving
the unlovable and bringing
healing to brave ones who ask and
some who don’t.
Some waved palms
like high branches of tall trees
swaying on a windy day
shouting loud Hosanna’s and
singing from heart and soul
while knowing
what’s ahead
this Holy Week, soaked in Christ’s
unfathomable love as
hands are washed and receive
the mystery in the gifts of
Bread and Cup.
Good Friday’s
immense loss of God’s Son, such
heaviness. Dying to the
darkness of sin that keeps us
from loving all of creation
without bias.
Yet soon the
white trumpet blooms of Easter
lilies will blast the startling
news of Christ’s Resurrection
and our spirits will engage
with new life!
John 13:12-17, 31-35
12 After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.
31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One[a] has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One[b] in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’
“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”
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The scriptures of Holy Week feed my soul in so many ways. It’s our tendency to think of the scenes as they occur in our present-day setting. Furthermore, just as it was risky for the disciples and Jesus to meet during this Passover time, today there are people in other parts of the world who risk life and limb when receiving Holy Communion.
What am I risking? Am I opening myself up to being newly aware this week? We might take notice, what emotions do I feel in my body
as my hands are washed and dried
as the hymns of the cross are rung and sung?
as we arrive at the Table to receive Christ’s immense Love
as we climb the hill to Golgotha to pray with
Jesus when most vulnerable and tired
as we sit silently in the darkness of the lonely cross?
This week let’s keep our eyes open for the reflection of Holy Week in all of creation and expectantly prepare for what is to come. Knowing that God’s Love is stronger than death, we will receive the Resurrection Light in the most transforming way!
We wait in hope and pray in this holy space,
Rev. Marta Wheeler
To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here: Devotional MW 2023-04-05