Thank God that Easter comes around every year.
Thank God that Good Friday comes around every year.
Thank God that Maundy Thursday comes around every year.
Thank God.
The liturgical cycle provokes Christians to remember and re-engage the defining events from Jesus’ days on earth, which in turn invites us to remember and re-engage the transforming power of the gospel.
We need that liturgy cycle to overcome the effective efforts of a massive conspiracy against remembering.
Now I’m no fan of conspiracy theorists. I figure they spin their theories in order to provide impetus to enlist workers to carry out their own conspiracies. But this one conspiracy comes from the really dark place, one that has sinister intentions and effective strategies.
The conspirators have so many tools to use.
They promote shame: “You’re a loser.”
They promote condemnation: “You’re unforgivable.”
They promote rage: “Get them back.”
They promote laziness: “What’s the point of trying?”
They promote isolation: “You’re all alone.”
They promote pride: “You’re above all that.”
They promote indulgence: “Eat, drink and be merry.”
They promote despair: “It’s hopeless.”
They promote such distorted thinking by telling lies.
The liturgical cycle shatters such lies. It tells us the truth:
Jesus values you.
Jesus died to forgive you.
Jesus absorbed the violence.
Jesus commissioned you to make a difference.
Jesus abides with you.
Jesus puts life into perspective.
Jesus liberates you from self-destructive behavior.
Jesus rose victorious.
When we gather this week in sanctuaries — both inside and out (weather-permitting) — we will be joining with sisters and brothers the world over and from ages past, to proclaim the truth.
We all need to hear that truth together, because many are the voices that pluralize the words of hopelessness, uttering despairing reports about the church — whether it be the local church, the national, or church in generic generalities. Together we make an easy target, because our flaws and conflicts are legion.
The gospel proclaimed in holy week, however, has addressed legion before, bringing liberation to an individual so possessed. That gospel speaks a liberating word to the company of believers today, as well.
Just as gratitude is not limited to Thanksgiving and generosity to Christmas, so too, the gospel is not limited to holy week. Every Sunday is resurrection day for Christians. That’s why it’s called the “Lord’s Day”. In our weekly celebrations we give witness to the embracing presence of the incarnation, the reconciling power of the crucifixion, and the transforming power of the resurrection. We confront the conspiracy of lies by speaking the truth — the central truth — weekly.
Thank God for forebears inspired to organize the liturgical cycle and to so many godly women and men who have taught us to worship in spirit, in truth, and in the company of God’s people.
Thank God that holy week comes around every year.
Thank God that Sunday comes around every week.
JHH
