April 14, 2017
Lenten Devotions – Good Friday

“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

On this day in my congregation we will participate in a Tenebrae Service – or traditionally know 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. Any opportunity we have to take a full day and remember the Cross of Jesus Christ and the centrality of the cross in our lives is a good day – something good to do on Good Friday. Another tradition we have is the procession of the cross through Lemoyne. Beginning at one congregation, we stop and pray at seven different locations including all four churches in Lemoyne, the fire station, Family Promise, and the Borough Building. Why? Because we need more prayers in our lives, and we need to pray for the people, the ministries, and the presence of Christ in our community. These are some of the things we do on 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.

Take time this Good Friday and remember the cross. Christ hung on the cross from noon until three in the afternoon. During those three hours, stop what you are doing and say a prayer thanking G-d for sending us Jesus – who offers salvation for all people. G-d is Good all of the time.

Please collect a tube of toothpaste for Trinity’s Table to bring on Easter Sunday morning.

Pastor Dave

April 13, 2017
Lenten Devotions – Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the beginning of the great “Three Days” of the Triduum. The word Triduum comes from the Latin word meaning “three days.” It begins the evening of Maundy Thursday and ends at Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. Thus the Triduum consists of three full days which begin and end in the evening. The Triduum technically is not part of Lent (at least liturgically), but Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are still reckoned as part of the traditional forty day Lenten fast.

The Triduum celebrates the heart of our faith: salvation and redemption that comes to all people in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Triduum commemorates the Institution of the Eucharist (the “sacrament of sacraments”), the passion, crucifixion, death of the Lord, his descent to the dead, and finally his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. These important events make up the “Paschal Mystery.” Through a cross, an instrument of death, G-d saves the world – one man accomplishes what no other man or woman could ever do for our redemption. 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)

How hard it is to love everyone. I am here to tell you it is impossible without Jesus. This is one of the reasons we need Maundy Thursday – we need to be reminded that we are to love one another because we cannot love as G-d loves us. We so often fail at love – G-d loves all people. 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. The Kingdom of G-d is a reign of love – thus 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 that G-d destroyed death through an implement of death. It is a mystery – but isn’t true love a mystery?

Please collect a tube of toothpaste for Trinity’s Table to bring on Easter Sunday morning.

Pastor Dave