Thursday, April 13, 2017

The Reason for the Season in Holy Week

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This morning people were coming and going from the church office on all manner of business they felt important. Impressive as always, Carol and Martha addressed their needs, including the elderly person who was rather demanding, even though she is not a member of our flock.

It's the way it goes during Holy Week. We're running like mad to prepare for all the services of the season, in all their complexity. Meanwhile other stuff happens. As I mentioned earlier in the week, this year I was at a private school for a communion service early Wednesday, and this afternoon we will say farewell to a beloved member of the congregation, including making a trip to the cemetery. Then we get underway with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and our celebration of Easter.

I do attempt to stay focussed on the solemn drama of the week, but it is a challenge in a society which now considers Easter to be another commercial holiday, as Christmas has become. And I heard this morning that CBC radio will have a two hour "Good Friday" program which won't have much if anything to do with the crucifixion, or Jesus, if I heard the promo correctly. Hey, the feds even chose today to announce the new cannabis reforestation program!

I suppose it's always up to the faithful to ponder the "reason for the season, whatever that Christian season might be. For centuries the earliest Christians managed to celebrate the birth, death, and resurrection of the Christ without any support from the state, and often under persecution.

We will as well.

Note: The CBC Good Friday program was excellent. Thoughtful and moving. I was wrong on that one!

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