I appreciated these words from Sacred Ordinary Days website about this year’s Lent written by Jenn Giles Kemper, “ We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey, and this one has been unlike any other, as we've all been traversing a new kind of wilderness. We have found ourselves losing more than we expected—the familiar routines of office and school and home, the familiar gatherings of friends and church and community. Some have lost jobs, some have lost loved ones, some are even now fighting for their lives. We have surrendered more than we ever imagined.
And yet, there have been invitations—and we have accepted them with more grace some days than others. Invitations to greater communion in these prolonged days in close quarters. Invitations to new ways of being church, and friends, and community to each other. Invitations to new practices, self-examination, understanding, and compassion. Invitations in the soft spring winds and the in warm sunshine and in the cool rains. Invitations to set aside our own expectations and surrender to what is—and what will be.”
Next week is Holy Week and we have an opportunity to make it a Holy Week unlike any other given what the past year has been and what new ways of seeing we have gained in this past Covid Year.
"From this side of history, we have the advantage of knowing who Jesus is and what he is about. We know what lies on the other side of the betrayal and the cross and the tomb. Still, every day, there are other invitations that we miss. Because they aren't what we expected. Because we're looking for something else entirely. Because we simply can't imagine abundant life on the other side of this.
Holy Week this year will not be what we envisioned six months or even six weeks ago. Yet there is an invitation to approach this ancient dance in a new way. Where we would have gathered to wave palms and shout Hosanna, our sanctuaries may be darkened and empty. We may find ourselves, instead, taking up paper palms before a computer screen at home. Where we would have feasted with throngs of family and friends, we may find ourselves in ones and two and threes, discovering new ways to welcome the coming Messiah. Where we would have found the end of ourselves and our expectations, we may find an invitation to new and abundant life.
May we have eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to receive each invitation Holy Week brings."