|
Beloved Community,
This evening I was watching the local news; the relatively new weather forecaster had included Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday on her forecast calendar. She even mentioned those dates. I was rather surprised, particularly since it was Passover when I was watching, which was NOT included on her calendar.
I have a suspicion that she moved here from elsewhere in the country: perhaps the Midwest, as she did not have a southern accent. But it is true that in other areas and regions, Holy Week impacts the culture (although it clearly has no impact on the weather.) There are no sporting events or school sponsored activities. Most schools close for Good Friday. Many stores close or close early.
In the beautiful diversity that is our country, I am not a proponent of culturally keeping Holy Week. I am, however, entirely in favor of those who follow Christ finding a way to keep it in the course of our lives. There are many worship opportunities and if you cannot make it to the ones we have scheduled, I encourage you to find one elsewhere at another time of day. If that doesn't work, perhaps you can spend some intentional time with the readings for the day or reflecting on the emphases of each day.
Because we know how the story ends, it is hard not to jump from Palm Sunday to Easter. But the grace...the amazing grace....of Jesus' death for the sake of a sinful world....lies in between.
See you in church,
Pastor Julie+
|
