Stepping out of time and into the past

I love sunrises and sunsets. It's the time of day when the sun weakens and becomes vulnerable, so that we see what we could not see in the bright light of day. As the sun's rays shatters, they break open, revealing a myriad of brilliant colors. Those same shattered rays stretch far across the horizon, as though they must touch land and sea, clouds and stars and moon before being put out. Amazing. We actually see the most glorious part of the sun when it is at its weakest point.

Holy Week is like that. It's the time when Jesus' life went on display, and the words of Jesus were stretched for all to see: shadows and darkness, brilliant colors of blood and bruising, bread and wine, palms and thorns, cross and garments. It is the time the weakness of Jesus appears, Jesus being vulnerable, being wounded, dying. It is the sunset of Jesus' life.

If you would see the glory of God, find a way to step out of time and into the past, I encourage you to find a place that celebrates the many ceremonies that commemorate Holy Week. Start with Palm Sunday, a day that begins with a triumphal procession and ends with the reading of the Passion. 

Better yet, take time to sit with the Gospels and read the Passion account for yourself. Let the sunset of Jesus bring rays of hope to your life. Let the life of Jesus be broken open for you, so that you may see the glory of God, and find God's healing rays.