Looking Up

Florence Morgan

If there is truly a low point in the Christian calendar, that day would be today.

I have been receiving emails for two weeks (at least) offering amazing discounts and deals for Easter.  Some are awfully tempting, with advertised savings of up to 50% on some technology items, but while Easter Sunday is a day of joy, Holy Saturday, today, is the pits!

It marks the day after the crucifixion of Jesus, a day when the disciples would have been totally lost, totally alone, afraid for their lives and in shock about what had just happened to the one they thought and believed could never die.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:15-16

In today's reading from the letter to the Hebrews, we are challenged to stand up and face the reality of the unthinkable and gather our strength to go on.

It is a great lesson for all of us, regardless of faith, but for Christians, it is especially critical that we find that grace to help in time of need.

For years, my wife and I have attended the Easter Vigil service on Saturday evenings at Christ's Church in Rye, New York.  The service begins in the dark and a fire is started to signify the light of the world, our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus.

While I love the service, because it takes place just as the new day begins, that is, the new day that begins at dusk, according to Jewish tradition, in a very real way, we are cheating ourselves by rushing to Easter.

Our remembrance of the crucifixion just happened on Friday at noon, so celebrating the resurrection on Saturday at dusk cuts that time of uncertainty and disappointment short.

"Why not?"you might ask.  "Who wants to be down?"

One of the things I learned in my pastoral training is to avoid trying to cheer people up when they are filled with fear, remorse, anger, frustration, disappointment and dread.  The job instead is to be still and listen, to be present in the moment and just be there for them.

Jesus taught his disciples to do that, to be there for each other and for others.  None of these men and women who followed Jesus had any special gifts beyond what God has given any of us.

We tend to hold them up as though they are more than mortal, but they are not.

That is why today is so important for me.  It is a reminder that we are all put through the same journey of life, tested by the failings and disappointments, trials and losses, pits and valleys.

This week, I lost a friend.  Like Lazarus, dear Florence fell asleep on her birthday this Wednesday and didn't awaken in this world.

I will miss her smiles and prayers during our Sunday Bible Study Group, and I will treasure those moments we had together.  What I will remember is how she approached life each day, beginning with a prayer of thanks to Jesus for one more day, and a simple request to take the pain away for a little while longer.

Florence taught us to keep looking up, something we sorely need to remember each day, but especially today, when all seems so dark.

We are blessed to know that tomorrow, Jesus will rise and return, but for those living in Saturday, there may be little or no hope for anything to change.

Let us all pray for them and for us, that we may be like Florence and look up rather than down.

More to come...