jodygreenwood

Holy Saturday                             

For the disciples, today was a day of mourning. A day of confusion. A day of bewilderment.

Each scattered and apart from one another. Each, perhaps, reflecting on the meal they had with Jesus just a couple of days earlier. Trying to remember what he said.

Did he say “Take this in remembrance of me”? It seemed odd at the time. A bit dramatic. But now? No. Now, I understand. Now, it makes sense.

He must have realized that his message of love was too radical for the religious authorities to abide. His willingness to eat with those on the margins, to have compassion and care for the outsider, his example, even command, to tear down boundaries that divide people, revealing God’s love and grace comes in many forms and expressions. That “love your neighbor” isn’t only for those who look like us, believe like us, love like us. “Neighbor” is everyone, even our adversaries. Well, that was just too radical.

I can’t believe he’s really gone. My teacher. My friend.

He said “remember me.”

By tomorrow many of the disciples will have made their way back to one another, but today, they are scattered. Today, they each begin to navigate the journey of grief. There’s no hope of resurrection in their minds; in their hearts. Only loss.

We know and anticipate the rest of the story. But today…