Friday of Holy Week April 15

“And Yet.” 
 
Scripture: (click on the link) Hebrews 12:1-4

Sorrow
“Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners,
so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.”
– Hebrew 12:3
Jesus endured the cross. 
Yes, it is sad. 
 
Everyone has reasons to be sad.
And yet.
That is why we are here.
We feel our own existence deeply. 
And yet.
We seek to be present to all who suffer. 
 
When your sorrow is genuine 
it is a deep and holy longing. 
And yet.
You bear its intensity. 
This powerful godly sorrow
equips the soul to receive the joy
that remains,
even if they kill you.
 
Jesus endured the cross.
And yet.
Even this is held in God. 
 
We linger here.
At the cross, at the cross. 
​
Spiritual Practice
Take some time on this Holy morning and be still with God.
Breathe slowly in and say aloud Be Still and Know that I am God, then breathe slowly out.  Take a moment of silence.
A second time,  breathe slowly in and say aloud Be Still and Know that I am, then breathe slowly out.  Take a moment of silence.
A third time, breathe slowly in and say aloud Be Still and Know, then breathe slowly out.  Take a moment of silence.
A fourth time, breathe slowly in and say aloud Be Still, then breathe slowly out.  Take a moment of silence.
A final time, breathe slowly in and say aloud Be, then breathe slowly out.  Take a moment of silence.
Take time to be with God this morning.

Prayer
Where there is sadness, loneliness, and pain
Let there by company.
Where there is dying, leaving, and letting go
Let there be balm.
Where there is violence, betrayal, and hatred
Let there be action. 
Where there is covid, cholera and waterborne disease 
Let there be vaccine for all. 
Where there is washed away crops, diminishing food
Let there be aid. 
Where there is war and missiles, nuclear threat 
Let there be peace.
Where there is racism, the hidden bodies of Indigenous children
Let there be sight.
Where there is climate fear and environmental impact
Let there be hope.
There where God is sorrowing
May we be also. 

Please join us to walk with Jesus at our Good Friday service at 10.30 this morning.
Peace, Rev. Gail