The chairs are folded, the pastries and coffee put away, and everyone who has volunteered in their various roles in churches across the world are taking a rest today. Whew! Putting on an Easter service is hard work, requiring all hands on deck! The reflections on what went well, and what could be done better…
Month: April 2023
Good Friday: Dark Night of the Soul
Today we are confronted with the deep, wrestling prayer of Jesus in the garden. The battle plays out in Luke 22:42: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Verse 44 describes the moment as palpable grief: “Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and…
Maundy Thursday: An Artist’s Perspective
“Just before the Passover festival, Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” John 13:1 Today is Maundy Thursday, which, according to John 13:1, symbolized “the full extent” of Jesus’…
TRA LA: A PASSION WEEK PERSPECTIVE
Today, Mark’s dad Jerry, would have turned 103. I spent some time reflecting on the legacy he left his family and friends. We miss him a lot, especially on his birthday. We somehow believed he would live forever. (Well, the truth is, he is living forever, but you know what I mean.) Last year on…
Be The Change
Here we are, Passion Week before us. The crowd who cried out “Hosanna” had hoped for a mighty king to save them and put down the oppressive Roman government so that they could live in peace and freedom. They didn’t understand that the One who came on a lowly borrowed donkey would bring ultimate wholeness…