The end of Lent

Our lectionary has taken us on a provocative journey since the Transfiguration just a few weeks ago. As Jesus came down from the mountain, he turned his eyes toward Jerusalem, knowing that his actions and his words on his journey to this seat of power would confound and anger the Pharisees and scribes, the very authority in the Hebrew faith tradition, as well as liberate the oppressed, the marginalized, the disconnected who had long been relegated to sit outside the holy places. Each step he took, each parable he shared, broke down barriers of centuries of teachings in the faith, and opened up the promise of salvation and reconciliation to everyone.

Our own Lenten journey has also brought us on a path, with Jerusalem, Golgotha, the Tomb, and the Garden at its end. We have heard Jesus' teachings, we have ourselves been made free from oppression and prejudice, and we are reminded that we are welcome into the loving arms of our God. Recognition of our own missing the mark, our sinfulness, is a key component of our repentance. Our forgiveness of self precedes our forgiveness of others, but both are reminders of God's own graceful forgiveness that is offered to us.

By the time Jesus reaches Jerusalem, upon his triumphant entry into the city, he has said enough, he has healed enough, he has taught enough. Words, while still profound, will speak, but not as loudly as his actions during the week of Passion leading to the cross. We will lament with him at Tenebrae; we will humble ourselves on Maundy Thursday; we will witness to his suffering on Good Friday. We will even descend with him to the Dead on Holy Saturday.

And at the Vigil on the Evening before Easter, at sunset, when the light seems to disappear from the sky, we will light our Paschal fires, remembering that even in death there is life and Light. We will have walked this journey, again this year, to remind us of the power of Light and Life over the darkness of doubt and death, and we will celebrate our redemption.

I invite all to be a part of our rich and traditional liturgies, to listen to the scriptures and teachings, to pray together as a community of believers, and to boldly proclaim our faith - Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.