Holy week is here and the images of light and darkness play heavily upon us during this Lenten season.  For we remember that the light came into the world on Christmas morning and “dwelt among us “enlightening the lives of people in a dark world.  Holy Week began by celebrating the life and ministry of Jesus with the joyful notes of “hallelujah” on Palm Sunday.

By today, the mood has intensified as we remember that the Passover meal (Seder) Jesus shared with his disciples was to be his last.  Tonight some of us will gather for a Maundy Thursday service of Tenebrae featuring the interplay of light and darkness and celebrating the Lord’s supper.

The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandare” meaning “commandment“ and refers to instruction Jesus gave to his disciples in the upper room on the night before his death on the cross.  Jesus took the form of a servant by girding himself with a towel and washing the disciples’ feet.  And he said, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you love one another.”

We will commemorate Jesus’ final time with the disciples when we gather at 7 PM tonight, Thursday, in a dimly lit sanctuary.  The sanctuary will have the simplicity of candlelight symbolizing the light of God’s love that came into the world over 2000 years ago.  And then slowly, one by one, the candles will be extinguished symbolizing the darkness that came over the world that night when he was betrayed and the next day when he was crucified.

For three days it seemed as though the Light had been snuffed out and the world lay in darkness.  Thus, we will leave our Tenebrae service from a darkened and dimly lit sanctuary, not to return until Easter morning.  This quiet service of meditation and reflection allows us to look at our own darkness and the darkness of our world -- all pointing to the glorious burst of light and new life coming into the world on Easter!

George Bernanos, the French Catholic writer, put it well in his book, The Diary of a Country Priest: 

“It may be that in the darkness, 
God will light our way.  
Through our doom we see…
what is beyond our doom, God’s love.”

For now, we wait for the glorious bursting forth of new life, light and a love that is eternal and knows not the bonds of death.  Won’t you join us live-stream or in person for Maundy Thursday - and then…the hope and promise of our faith…Easter!

                    In Joyful Anticipation,

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister