Today is the sixth and final Sunday within the Lenten Season. It is the Sunday that we mark as Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. On this day, we remember the story of Jesus as he enters Jerusalem.
Jesus has had his heart set towards Jerusalem for some time. His journey has brought him closer and closer to this important and significant city. Just as the Passover celebrations are set to begin, Jesus and his disciples enter the great city. In all four Gospel accounts, Jesus enters riding on a donkey.
We, too, have been on a journey. We have been traveling along the way of Lent as well as the Way of Discernment. Our journey draws us towards Jerusalem also, and towards the unbearable tragedy that unfolds in the coming week. Our journey, like Jesus’, is drawing us into the darkness.
Darkness is an uncomfortable, sometimes scary place to be. I have known children, and even adults, who sleep with a light on somewhere nearby. Even as they sleep, they do not want to be enveloped by the immense darkness. For often, it is in darkness that we are confronted with all that is ugly, all that is painful, all that is unjust, all that is shameful. It is in darkness that we contend with our fears, our greed, our pettiness, our jealousies, our resentment, our hardness, and our brokenness.
Yet, it is also in darkness that we most clearly distinguish the light. It is in coming face to face with death, and all that is of death, that we more fully appreciate and rejoice in life.
When we gather again next Sunday, Mar. 31st, we will celebrate with great joy and loud Alleluias: Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! We cannot get there though, we cannot touch into that joy, we cannot raise our voices with any boldness, if we have not journeyed into the darkness first. So please, make every effort to travel through Holy Week together. You are encouraged to connect with another, perhaps share a meal before hand, reach out…and come! If you can’t come to all, consider coming to one. If you can’t come to any, consider joining in by reading one of the Passion narratives (Matthew 26 – 27, Mark 14 – 15, Luke 22 – 23, John 17-19) Come and journey together through the darkness and into the light.
Mar. 28th - Maundy Thursday Worship @ 7:30 p.m. – CCUMC / Social Hall
Mar. 29th - Good Friday Worship* @ 2:00 p.m. – CCUMC / Trilingual Joint
Neighborhood Worship
*Please come in through the Annex as we will begin with a time of fellowship. You are invited to bring refreshments to share with our neighbors.
Good Friday Worship @ 7:30 p.m. – CCUMC / Sanctuary
Mar. 30th – Easter Vigil @ 8:00 p.m. – with New Spirit Community Church (1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley)
Mar. 31st – Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7:30 a.m. – With Wa Sung Community Service Club. Between Lincoln Square and Lincoln Elementary.