Holy Week in 2010
April 1, 2010
Holy Week is here: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. It is a time to contemplate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his Last Supper, his capture and crucifixion, and of course, his resurrection. It is a time to celebrate the gift of ever-lasting life that came to us because of what he went through for us. It is a time to be joyous for all Christianity.
But it is also a time to look back over Jesus’ teachings and words and to try to make them more real in our hearts. One verse in particular comes to mind as I experience Holy Week in the year 2010. John 15:9 (NIV): “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Remaining in his love seems to be hard to do in this world. On the television news I see bombings in Russia, or read about gunfire between Palestinian militia and Israeli soldiers, or strife between tribes in Africa. Many people have opinions on these events – especially the situation in the Holy Land – about who is right and who is wrong, about who is justified in their actions and who should face charges. But I think we are looking at this the wrong way. I think we should not worry about who is right and remember that we are all the children of God, and thus family. Jesus Christ died and came back to life for all of us, because he loved all of us. He knew that it would be difficult as he prayed at Gathsemane – he even asked that the cup be taken from his lips (Matthew 26:39) – but yet he did it. He did not worry about who was righteous, who deserved his sacrifice, because he knew that none of us were worthy of his gift. But he loved us, and so went through with it, and gave us everlasting life, the very thing we celebrate receiving every Easter.
And so, 2000 years later, I think of his gift, and I think of his words spoken to us in John, and I try to remain in his love. But more, I pray during this most holy of weeks that others will join me, that others will love their brothers and sisters as Jesus loved them, without regard to grievances or justifications. I pray that for one day at least we may see peace all over this war-torn world. That is what I pray for this Easter Sunday.
God bless you all, and may peace find you wherever you are.
Sean Nonn
