Musing on Holy Week –
Holy Week is upon us. For those of us who practice their faith within the traditional Christian communities, this week represents the very heart of our worship life.
In the Jewish tradition, when the Passover Seder is celebrated, the youngest child asks “Why is this night different from all other nights?” In our tradition, we might ask “Why is this week different from all other weeks?”
Throughout this week, we are musing on Jesus’ final days on earth. He knew what awaited him. Because he had taken on human form, he bore the very natural fear of what he was to suffer. Yet, in this week, he continued to heal, to teach and to give his disciples a way to remember him and to know his presence with them and all future followers, in the meal of Holy Communion.
In our prayers and our daily scripture readings and our devotions this week, we are walking with the memories of those final days. It brings feelings of sadness, of grief, of sorrow, of regret that such an act of sacrifice was made necessary because of the persistence of our sin. At the same time, there is an underlying current of gratitude and joy, knowing that God loves us this much!
I hope you will savor the incredible spiritual richness of this week in both your daily, private life of worship, and with your sisters and brothers in faith as we gather together for worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Have a blessed Holy Week!