Christians throughout the world recognize this season, this
week, as a sacred time of remembering the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus for the
salvation of the world. It is a deeply sad yet richly joyous time.
I find myself
with mixed emotions not only as I recall the Passion of my Lord, but as Leslie
and I go through this last week together.
You see,
Leslie is leaving; Friday—Good Friday—will be her last day here. Her husband's
job is taking their family to a city four hours away. Not so far, I suppose but
still, not around the corner either. Like the disciples with Jesus, we've had
three years together, and now our time is up.
It is no
coincidence that the Bible study she led (that I will take over) is not meeting
this week. The Sunday School class we co-teach is not meeting on Easter Sunday.
Altogether I have the feeling that life is in suspension, and I am waiting for
the new thing that is coming.
How
appropriate that this new beginning should take place at Easter time. No matter
how much Leslie tells me that ‘she’s not that far,’ and that we’ll Skype often,
and drive to meet halfway every month, and that we’ll finally be able to put
our talks into writing—no matter all that, I still mourn for her and for the
season that is passing away. Could
this be how the disciples felt when they heard Jesus talk of his imminent death
during that first Holy Week they spent with him in Jerusalem? How could they have
understood what Easter morning would bring?
Well, Leslie
and I have the advantage of knowing what Easter means. We look forward to
better times. There is a sweetness that remains when sorrow is past, and it is
our joy to begin this adventure of God at the Center.
May this Holy
Week bring to you a deep and lasting joy born of the Resurrection.
