By The Rev. Susan Balfour

Beloved,

Grace and peace in Christ’s name! That’s not just a greeting; it’s a prayer I offer for you each day.

As we enter into Holy Week, we prepare ourselves for some emotional whiplash. The loud triumph of Palm Sunday so quickly turns to quiet resignation and ultimately, abandonment. Before the week is out, we will gather at Table with Christ’s disciples in every time and place beneath the black-clad cross and tell the story as we descend into the darkness of the tomb. Somehow, knowing that the story doesn’t end there doesn’t negate the heartache.

That said, this week is so very important. Sitting with the sense of impending loss speaks so poignantly to each of us—we know life is full of loss, even for Jesus and those closest to him. Sitting with Jesus in these days helps us to remember that Jesus sits with us when we have those days. And just as that profound loss wasn’t the end of the world but rather the beginning of a new one, so our losses needn’t be just the end of something, but the beginning of something new. Of course, it will still be painful, but a new day comes, and there is life after death.

May your Holy Week be blessed and meaningful. And stay tuned…

In Christ,

Rev. Susan