Blessings abound at the close of holy week 2012...

Blessings abound in our home this night:  the last two nights of worship have been rich and humbling encounters with the sacred that were filled with beauty and mystery.  Maundy Thursday was filled with new/old wisdom as we listened to John's gospel about the "new commandment" and then washed the feet of some of this year's confirmation group.  We shared the Eucharist deeply aware of the Passion to come ~ and wept as we stripped the communion table and Sanctuary.  And as the candles were extinguished to readings from the gospels leading to the Cross, we sat waiting together in the darkness... before sharing the Lord's Prayer.

Friday was an equally moving gathering - this time grounded in a reworking of the ancient Reproaches and Veneration of the Cross - saturated with contemporary music.  Each song took us all deeper into the emptiness and shame and hope of the Lord's Cross.  At the same time, each song and prayer took us closer into God's heart in community, too.  We left aware that Christ's resurrection changes everything even as we live in these strange and often dark days.

Today we dressed the Sanctuary with flowers and banners in anticipation of Easter - then I played a jazz gig with my mates to honor a young woman at a local college.  It, too, was filled with fun and beauty and now I am home to rest before rejoining my faith community for the Feast of the Eucharist.  Lent 2012 has been a challenge and blessing on many levels ~ and I actually ache waiting for tomorrow's celebration.  (And then we're heading out of town for three wonderful days of rest and renewal far away from the phone!)

As one band mate wrote to me tonight:  how far we've come in five years together!  Christ is alive and present in our community ~ we have tasted and experienced darkness and light ~ and something of his new life on the other side of Easter, too.

We rejoice, mighty God, that you have raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We praise you and celebrate your presence within and among us - and throughout the world. New life blossoms where dead hopes were once buried. Today we know that the world is being reborn by your love.  Help us stay awakened to your grace and trust always in your resurrection power.  For we pray through Jesus our crucified and risen Savior.  Amen.