Holy Week

Today is Palm Sunday, the traditional start of Holy Week. Think about the range of emotions evoked in the events of this week. It started with excitement, joy, expectation, hope, exultation, triumph. Shouts of "Hosanna!" rang out. The crowds were celebrating because they were expecting something totally different than what their Champion had in mind.

By Thursday evening, the mood was more somber. Questioning, confusion, maybe even a little doubt.

Friday was a dark day. Defeat, despair, and paralyzing fear morphed into sorrow and mourning. A dreadful loss. A crisis of faith.

(Good Friday 2019)

(Good Friday 2020)

Last year, most churches were closed due to covid, or got creative holding Holy Week services online or outside. Our church observed Good Friday outside. A member had a stage, cross, and tomb constructed. We all stayed in our cars on a beautiful evening, taking communion as the sun set in the west. Covid was still mysterious and reports were confusing. Nobody ever imagined not being able to gather together in our churches for the most important week of the year. But now, as I look at these pictures, I remember it as a special time. Funny how trials and challenges really make you appreciate the things you always took for granted.

And then the Resurrection. Amazement and wonder mixed with a bit of doubtful reservation.

I love this week of the liturgical calendar. It's a time to pause, really pause, and reflect on the events that took place over 2,000 years ago, yet are remembered today even by those who don't embrace what faith in Jesus Christ is all about.

These images are from my files of pictures I've taken at some local churches over the last few years. I love symbolism. It's a tool dating from ancient times, when people were uneducated, to help them understand the profound divine. Now we have a wealth of knowledge and understanding. This was prophesied in Daniel 12:4. But traditions, symbolic objects, and sacred ceremonies are still important today because they pull us out of the daily - the mundane but necessary routines of life - and help us put our attention on things beyond our tiny selves.

I found a good article you might enjoy to begin your own week of meditation and reflection.

https://www.danwilt.com/the-10-emotions-of-easter/

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and He will stand upon the earth at last."
~ Job 19:25 

What 5000 Souls Looks Like

Yesterday was Friday and traffic was the usual "let's get the weekend party started!" When I exited off the highway and saw the line to turn left at the traffic light, I knew I would be sitting through at least 3 red lights before it was my turn. So I cheated and went straight to take a shortcut. It's a small church on the corner, whose property sits a bit below street level. As I turned in, I saw this scene and at first thought it was a planning plot for a community garden.

You can't see this from the street. Continuing down the driveway, I realized those were crosses. Then I saw the sign:

I went back this morning to take some pictures. It was a rather sobering moment, realizing that each cross represented a human life and a grieving family. And there were so many of them.

I thought I'd read somewhere that there were 5,000 crosses here. A recent story says Oklahoma has lost 7,100 people. Another story said the artist will keep adding crosses until March 18, which marks one full year since the first covid death in the state. 

A year ago my friends and I were asking each other, "do you know anyone who's had "it"? I don't." We were skeptical and wondered if it even existed. There was a time it was only happening on the coasts. We maybe felt a little untouchable. Things have sure changed in 12 months. Now we know dozens of friends, church members, and friends of friends who have endured the nose swabs, the negative results, the positive results, and such a wide variety of symptoms and recovery stories. Nobody will ever convince me this virus was not man-made in the Wuhan lab. Whether it was for medical research or an experiment in bio-weaponry; whether it was released intentionally or by a careless accident, at some point it became politically and economically weaponized as it unleashed it's evil sickness on the global population.

I know 4 people who are represented here. They had other health issues, but not something of immediate

danger. They would still be alive if they had not contracted the CHINA virus.

The morning dew sheds a tear.