Collect for Monday in Holy Week
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Resurrection people are first people who take up the cross, who follow the One who emptied himself and joined us in this world. The Resurrected One was first the one willing to serve, to be humbled, to die on a cross, in the midst of the world’s pain.
We have traveled through a Lent which has seemed longer than most. We are now entering a Holy Week which will, no doubt, feel deeper and harder than most. Next Sunday, the first Sunday in the Easter season, may not feel to us as a time to shout that life has overcome death.
This year might be a particularly good one to remember that Easter is a season, 50 days given to us to try to make sense that Good Friday is not the end, only the bottom. 50 days given to us to seek signs that the Risen Christ is in our midst, found in our garden, walking with us on the road, breaking bread with us.
There, in the garden, on the road, at table, we get a glimpse of Resurrection. Only a glimpse, perhaps, but pray that it will be enough for now.
Write down what you see. Keep it as a promise to share with others later. Keep watch. Stay awake. Our suffering servant did not avoid the cross. If we seek to see the Resurrection, the cross can not be avoided now.
Peace,
Brian