IN THE SPRING, LORD, OUR THOUGHTS TURN TOWARD THE BEAUTY OF NATURE: BIRDSONG AT SUNRISE, THE PALETTE OF EARLY BLOSSOMS, THE SWELLING OF A BUD, WARM FRESHENING BREEZES AND SUNSHINE. BUT BEFORE WE CAN THINK OF BEAUTY, WE ARE COMPELED TO CLIMB THE HILL OF CALVARY. WE ARE CONSTRAINED TO DWELL ON THE FORCE OF NAILS PIERCING HANDS AND FEET, A CROWN OF THORNS, HUMILIATION, SWEAT, BLOOD, TEARS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SOOTHE OUR MINDS WITH SERENITY, BEAUTY, PEACE, AND LOVE. BUT FIRST WE MUST WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. BEFORE WE ENJOY THE FRUITS OF RESURRECTION, WE MUST SUFFER THE BLACK DESPAIR OF CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL.
AND SO IT IS WITH ALL OF LIFE, LORD. WE MUST FACE THE FRIDAYS OF GRIEF AND LOSS BEFORE WE REACH THE SUNDAYS OF RESURRECTION AND JOY. THANK YOU FOR THE BITTER, WHICH INSTRUCTS US, AND THE SWEET, WHICH LIFTS OUR SPIRITS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.
WE THINK TODAY OF THOSE WHO ARE FACING ILLNESS, TERROR AND GRIEF. WE ASK THAT YOUR COMFORTING PEACE MIGHT FILL THEIR HEARTS. WE PRAY FOR OUR BROKEN WORLD. WHERE THERE IS STRIFE, HATRED AND REVENGE, BRING PEACE, HOPE AND LOVE. GIVE US THE GRACE TO BEAR ONE ANOTHERS BURDENS, THE SKILLS TO BUILD COMMUNITY, THE BONDS THAT WILL WITHSTAND DISAGREEMENT. AND FINALLY, LORD, WHILE WE ARE IN THE BLACK DISPAIR OF THIS FRIDAY, GRANT US FAITH TO BELIEVE IN SUNDAY’S RESURRECTION. FILL THE EARTH WITH YOUR PRESENCE AND YOUR LOVE DEAR LORD WE PRAY.
