Holy Week and Easter are the high Holy Days of our faith. Culturally, Christmas seems to have a higher impact since it has become a secular holiday, as well as a Holy Day for Christians. But Holy Week and Easter are at the center of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ.
Please join me and all of our sisters and brothers around the world as we journey with Jesus and the first disciples from the enthusiasm and excitement of Palm Sunday, to the garden of tears and betrayal, to the palace of Caiaphas, to the Roman Garrison, down the Via de la Rosa (Way of Suffering), to Golgotha, to the tomb. Experience again the prayers, the tears, the betrayal, the pain and grief.
It's such a familiar story; we know it so well. But as we hear it again, I pray we allow the retelling to deepen our faith and commitment to serve the world that Christ redeems with love and sacrifice. Remember with me that we are not alone on this journey; it is a journey meant to be taken together, in community. Remember with me that Jesus' Call to redemption and service is still the Call on our lives and witness.
The group Tree 63 has a song with lyrics below. They speak to us of our own experiences as people who struggle with illness, grief, loss, and all of the other struggles that we endure as the "Good Fridays" of life for ourselves and with others. They help us remember that Sunday is coming. Sunday, our hope and promise. Easter Sunday!
Sunday!
Nothing's sacred, the days are cheap
Truth is thin on the ground
Still our prophets are crucified
Nobody believes we're stumbling
It's Friday, but Sunday is coming
Someone's saying a prayer tonight
For hungry mouths to be filled
Someone kneels in the dark somewhere
And darkness is already crumbling
It's Friday, but Sunday comes
Sunday – Hallelujah – it's not so far, it's not so far away
Sunday – Hallelujah – it's not so far, it's not so far away
Broken promises, weary hearts
But one promise remains:
Crucified, he will come again
It's Friday, but Sunday is coming
It's Friday, but Sunday is coming
Sunday…
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Author
Hee-Soo Jung
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has served as resident bishop of the Wisconsin Annual Conference since September of 2012. Prior to leading the Wisconsin Conference UMC, Bishop Jung served eight years as bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference (Chicago area).