EASTER SUNDAY

JESUS IS NOT IN THE GRAVE

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus]. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb…. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ”Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16: 1-2; 5-8

Lord, we have called you Jesus, Rabbi, Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah. Today we call you Lord. Our amazement at this day is beyond words. Our gratitude transcends what can be said. And yet we fear—fear and wonder, can it be true what the women said? Continue to remind us that indeed forgiveness is real, death is not the final word, evil is defeated. Continue to call us as we call to you. For we pray in your holy name. Amen.

Picture: "Inside the Dolman, the Tomb" St. Nectaire, France, 2002

SATURDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jesus, Buried

When [Pilate] learned from the centurion that [Jesus] was dead, he granted the body to Joseph [of Arimathea]. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Mark 15: 45-47

We wander this day for Jesus is dead and God mourns.

Jesus, so many names—Messiah, Son of the Blessed One, King of the Jews, one of Nazareth. Jesus, so many experiences, so many roles—teacher, prophet, priest, anointed, crucified. Today you are buried. Death is real. Life is ended. We have killed Jesus. Only you God, you who cry this day, can save. We wait. Amen.

Picture: "Graves in Dark Sly" Clonmacnoise, Ireland, 2000

FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jesus, Condemned

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and
‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,’
and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death. Mark 14: 60-64

Close your eyes. Picture the scene in the high priest’s chamber. See the high priest and the council; imagine their robes of authority; look deeply into their faces. Feel the emotion in the room.

Open your eyes. See Jesus. Imagine his demeanor; look into his eyes. Hear his silence. Listen with all your being—your ears, your eyes, your mind, and your heart. The high priest asks his question, your question. Who are you Jesus? What shall we call you?
And Jesus answers!

Stay in the silence of this place. Look anew at Jesus.
Close your eyes and hear the responses of those around you. Hear with compassion. Hear your own questions. Wonder how you too think Jesus deserves to die.

How do we daily crucify our Lord?

Forgive us O Lord ….Amen

THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jesus, Betrayed

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him…. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. Mark 14: 10-11; 44-46

Betrayal by one you know well, one you love, is one of the truly devastating events of human life. Jesus, human as we are, was not exempt from it. Betrayal tears at the very fabric of our being. Betrayal however takes many forms. Sometimes we betray others without even being aware. We repeat a story we think true. We tell a confidence we think is public knowledge or at least known by many. Sometimes we betray another to force their hand. We hope they will finally do what we know they can and need to do. And sometimes we betray out of a sense that we have been betrayed. Revenge seems justified. The other must hurt as we do. Is Judas so different from us?

How do I betray you Lord Jesus?

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jesus, Anointed

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head…. And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “…She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14: 3, 5, 8-9

What can I do that is so lavish? What justifies such lavishness?

Holy Jesus, in a week of contrasts we reach the middle. You entered as a humble king, riding on a donkey. You confronted the authorities and proclaimed with fire your vision of love that God desires. A humble woman anointed you and she alone seemed to understand. Help us as we walk with you this week to understand such lavishness. Help us to honor you. Help us to continue to worship in spirit and truth. Amen.

Picture: "Medieval Spires" Le Puy-en-Velay, France, May, 2002

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Rabbi Jesus and his Opponents

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. Mark 12: 28-34

Jesus, the teacher, knew well the ways of rabbinic disputation. He knew well the Scriptures. But more than all of these he knew God. He knew the God of Israel’s past, he knew the God of Israel’s present, and he knew well the God of the world’s future. And he tells us what God commands. And he tells us what the kingdom of God is about. Disputation has ended. Action begins.

How will we love as our teacher instructs?

Rabbi Jesus, teach me to love as God loves, to love with all my being. Rabbi, teach me to love my neighbor—both those I consider loveable and those I think repulsive. Rabbi, bring your kingdom. Amen.

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Rabbi Jesus

and the Elements

"Barren Tree Blown" Highlands, Scotland, December, 2006

In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11: 20-25

It is a day of authoritarian statements and action by Rabbi Jesus, this Monday, Holy Week. The fig tree without fruit, the moneychangers and sellers in the temple, both heard the wrath of the rabbi from Galilee. Prayer, faith in God, and forgiveness, bring power even over the elements. The crowds are spell bound, but the authorities seek a way to kill him.

What is Jesus saying to you today? How do you hear his truth?

Lord Jesus, help me have a forgiving heart; forgive my sins; protect me from your wrath; give me the faith that heals. Amen.