Listen:
“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)
Reflect:
It’s western Christianity’s Holy Week, a week full of activities for the faithful, with playful palm processions and praise-filled (and easter-egg filled) parties. This is in contrast with that original Holy Week which was filled with betrayal, denial, violence, death, and despair. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then! Praise God!
Or have we? Sadly, centuries later, though we can proclaim “He has risen”, Christ’s peace remains elusive for many. The geographic region around that original Easter is once again in a violent conflict, and violent conflict prevails worldwide.
Gratitude and praise, such as “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations,” is easy for some enjoying jellybeans, chocolate bunnies, blooming lilies, colorful baskets, new easter finery, happily gathered families, and fancy Easter church services.
For others, these words of praise are much more difficult to sing. For the Lord is good? His steadfast love endures forever? His faithfulness to all generations? Indeed, amidst a life of praise, there were times when even the psalmists “hanged their harps upon the willows in the midst thereof,” and questioned how they could sing. (Psalm 137)
This week, while some hunt Easter eggs, others will be hunting something to eat, a place to hide, or respite from pain in “the midst thereof.” Despite the resurrection of Jesus Christ, life still falls hard and cruelly on many.
This Eastertide, may we sing the praises we can sing but may we also match these efforts in the ways we embody Christ in our life to heal, bring peace, and to set the oppressed free worldwide.
Questions to Ponder:
- What praises do you have this Holy Week?
- What tangible relief can you bring those who are suffering “in the midst thereof” this Holy Week?
Prayer of Response:
“Lord Jesus Christ, reinvigorate me in the hope and joy promised in your risen life, and help me to better embody Your care for those who are living in war-torn places, or who are experiencing hunger, isolation, abuse, illness, and any other distressing conditions with your love, this Easter season and beyond.
—Submitted by Janice Gutierrez
Janice once had a job as her city’s Easter Bunny, but more recently served over ten years as Lifesprings International’s Executive Director. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and recently completed her first book, “Searching For My Brighter Way,” a theological memoir about her Rule of Life. You can follow her on Substack and Instagram @jangutz where she likes to share beauty, humor and the occasional musing.