Monthly Archives: April 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:01 am on April 3, 2015
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Good Friday – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 3, 2015
Good Friday

“Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” John 13:36-37

“Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. Around three oʼclock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!” Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Letʼs see if Elijah will come to take him down!” But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was Godʼs Son!” Mark 15:33-39

Good Friday. Why is it called Good Friday? There is no clear answer of the origin of “Good” Friday. Some say it comes from the phrase “G*d’s Friday”. That seems reasonable. But others point to the fact that what Christ did for all of humanity was so “Good”, that even though it involves his death on a cross, it is Good for all people. There are many ways to honor the day of Good Friday. Some congregations hold a service from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm – the traditional hours that Christ hung on the cross. During those three hours, sermons are delivered on the seven last words of Christ. Those seven last words from the Gospels include:

“Father Forgive, for they do not know what they are doing.”
“Today you will be with me in Paradiise”
“Woman here is your son; son here is your Mother”
“My G*d, My G*d, why have you forsaken Me”
“I am thirsty”
“It is Finished”
“Father, Into Your hands I commend my Spirit”

In my congregation we will participate in a Tenebrae Service – traditionally known as a service of light. Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness”. It is used to recreate the emotions of the events of Good Friday. Another tradition the churches of 17043 have continued is processing the cross through the town of Lemoyne. Any opportunity we can do to bring the centrality of the cross in our lives to the communities of the West Shore is a good thing – something good to do on Good Friday.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:36 am on April 2, 2015
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Maundy Thursday – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 2, 2015
Maundy Thursday

“When it was evening Jesus came with the Twelve. As as they were at table eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me…” They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve.” And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” Mark 14:18-24

“Among all the memorable events of Christ’s life, the most worthy of remembrance is that last banquet, the most sacred supper. Here not only the Paschal lamb was presented to be eaten but also the immaculate Lamb, who takes away the sins fo the world… In this banquet the marvelous sweetness of Christ’s goodness shone forth when He dined at the same table and on the same plates with those poor disciples and the traitor Judas. The marvelous example of his humility shone forth when, girt with a towel, the King of Glory diligently washed the feet of the fishermen and even of his betrayer. Oh how marvelous are all these things, how full of sweetness, but only for that soul who, having been called to so distinguished a banquet, runs with all the ardor of its spirit so that it may cry out with David:

“As the stag longs for the springs of water,
so my soul longs for You, O G*d.”

Bonaventure (1221 – 1274) “The Tree of Life”

On the night of the celebration of Maundy Thursday, not only do we remember the last supper, but we remember the commandment Christ gave to his disciples to “love one another”. It was not a holy suggestion – it was a command:

“I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This is one of the reasons we need Maundy Thursday – we need to be reminded that we are to love one another because we so often fail at love. And I am not talking now about love of a spouse or “Eros” love, I am talking about “Philia” love or love of brother and sister, and “Agape” love, love of G*d. It is so important in the Kingdom of G*d that Jesus needed to command that we love one another. In this season of Easter coming up, when you peer upon the cross on Good Friday, and then marvel at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday, remember to love one another. As Psalm 42:1 says, “As the stag longs for the springs of water, so my soul longs for you, O G*d”, it is in our longing for G*d that drives our love for one another. Love of G*d, love modeled by Jesus, forms our need for love, and our need to be messengers of love. G*d sent Jesus to do just that, to show us what is this inexpressible act of Love, so that we will then love each other.

Pastor Dave