Courage

Courage

Sunday we found ourselves watching Jesus enter Jerusalem on a donkey while people shouted, “Hosanna! (Save Us) Hosanna in the highest” as we celebrated Palm Sunday. And now, like so many others, we have options for the rest of the week. We can easily settle into our routine for the next few days. We can stretch back in the recliner and watch Sweet Sixteen games, or go to the ball field and eat a hot dog, or meet friends for dinner, then show up Easter Sunday for the celebration of the empty tomb.  We can easily find something else to do this week that takes little effort, but is it what we need to do? Is it where we need to be? One week out of every year we focus on the darkness of Holy Week. We share the story, reflect on our part in it all, and sit at the foot of the cross and think about the sacrifice. One week. This week. We have two opportunities to live into that time as we worship on Maundy Thursday with Communion, and Good Friday Tenebrae service with the last sayings from the cross. Both services begin at 6:30. My prayer is that we all have the courage to be uncomfortable in these services and have the fortitude to put ourselves into the story of Christ’ death because it is his sacrifice that gives us new life and reason to truly celebrate. Won’t you join me as we continue the parade with courage and fortitude? Won’t you join me as our shouts move from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him” to “Alleluia?”

 

Courage

We summon every ounce of courage. We give ourselves pep talks

and we call our friends.

We dig deep within.

We practice the words out loud,

rolling them around in our mouths,

imagining the response.

We deal out every “what if” card our brain holds on to and spend absurd amounts of time

imagining all the ways it could go wrong.

And then finally, blessedly, we say it: I love you.

To speak the truth of your heart takes courage. It always has.

But please, summon your courage, join the parade,

and speak with conviction.

For God has been saying to the world since day one: I love you.

What is your response?

written by: Rev. Sarah Speed

 

Peace, Josie