During worship on Palm Sunday, I invited forward the children who had painted Stations of the Cross, which are now displayed around the church. Each child had the opportunity to do a little “show and tell” and speak about their artwork.
The child who painted the seventh station – “Jesus falls the second time” – used bright, bold colors. She said that she painted everything in the scene but Jesus himself. She left Jesus white, popping off the canvas, because he is the Light of the World. She went on to say that Jesus gives us hope, as well as pain, and all of our feelings. Serious words of wisdom from an eight-year-old!
Holy Week has been a time for experiencing many different feelings as we contemplate Jesus’ great sacrifice born of undying love. On Palm Sunday, the outdoor procession of palms brings the church’s private praise into a public space. Therefore, it evokes a mix of solidarity with the faithful and vulnerability to the stare of onlookers. The foot washing on Maundy Thursday is another occasion for vulnerability, and also deep tenderness, before the stripping of the altar leaves us heartbroken at the abandonment of Jesus. Good Friday brings grief as well as gratitude as we consider the cross a sign of both our sin and our salvation. Now, as we approach Holy Saturday, we can anticipate the joy of Easter, taste it even, before the Alleluias burst forth.
However, if for some reason you’re not feeling the joy, that’s okay. Maybe you need to be in the tomb with Jesus for a while because life is really hard right now. Maybe you need to go off with him to a quiet place and pray. Jesus gave us our emotions and redeems our emotions, but the truth of the Gospel is not dependent on our emotions. So, on the holiest, most joyful day of the year, know that the most important feeling belongs to Jesus, who is overjoyed that you belong to him.
Adrian+
