About this time of day on Easter Evening, 2 men who had followed Jesus began their journey back to their home village. The conversation as they walked was all about the weekend events – the shock they felt as Jesus was crucified and the new rumors that Jesus was not dead.
Read MoreHoly Saturday is intended to be a “dark” day. Jesus is dead and in the tomb. The Chief Priests and Pharisees who had engineered His death made sure the tomb was sealed and guarded. The Apostles were scattered, Peter was tasting every word of his denial, and Judas was dead. Temple Leaders – 1, Jesus’s followers – 0.
Read MoreAbout the time this morning that our alarm clocks began going off, our dogs heading toward the door, and our cats demanding breakfast, St. John tells us that Jesus was being marched from the court of the High Priest Caiaphas to the judgment hall of the Roman Governor Pilate. There had been no sleep the night before. Only relentless questioning.
Read MoreMaundy Thursday is intended to be a tender yet wrenching day in our worship. We read the Gospel of the dinner Jesus is sharing with the Apostles. We wash each other’s feet as Jesus washed the feet of the men at table with Him. Then we strip the altar of all the beautiful things that we use in our liturgy.
Read MoreJudas. A name that sticks in Scripture and in our minds as a symbol of evil. Evil action, evil intent, evil results. We see this in the picture St. John gives us of the last supper shared by Jesus and the 12 men who were His travel companions for 3 years. Men Jesus had called individually and particularly to be His Apostles, including Judas.
Read MoreIn Jesus’s time, the holy Temple of the Jews occupied the center of Jerusalem. In conquering the Jews, Rome built barracks snuggled right up next to the Temple wall.
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