“In Memory” (03/26/2024)

Holy Week, the time between Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday, invites us to remember. On Sunday we read the passion from the Gospel of Mark. This Friday we will read the passion account from the Gospel of John. And in between, we are exhorted to remember: Christ’s triumphant yet humble entrance into Jerusalem; Christ’s “Last Supper” with the disciples and His institution of the Eucharist; Christ’s prayer in the Garden (“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”- Matthew 26:38-40); Christ’s arrest, trial, and sentence of crucifixion; Christ’s passion; Christ’s death; Christ’s internment in the tomb.

What will remembering accomplish in us individually and collectively?

This morning, I saw it again, the small sign my niece gave me a few years back. It reads simply, “It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.” Today, I recognized how true this is of our LORD, Jesus Christ. But then I realized with more conviction than ever, Jesus doesn’t want me just to remember. Jesus wants me to let Him into every moment of my being. Jesus wants to remain in me as I remain in Him. Jesus wants my memory of His unfathomable love for me and for you to be expressed by me in my every moment. Jesus wants your memory of His unfathomable love for you and all of us to be expressed by you in your every moment.

Can I do this? Will I do this? That is the question for me.

Can you do this? Will you do this? Will you ponder the possibilities?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.