Holidays usually begin when someone clearly articulates their desire to honor a person or event (which sort of makes me wonder about “Groundhog Day” but there you are) and convinces others of the event’s importance.
This week, around the world, there are a series of holy days that millions will observe, which ultimately gave birth to the tradition of spring break (a holiday in mind of any student!). I would like to offer a brief refresher on the origin of the holy days and invite you to celebrate the holiday with United Christian Parish.
Palm Sunday (March 28)
For students this day often heralds the beginning of spring break, for Christians it heralds the beginning of Holy Week.
All four gospels, accepted as authoritative for telling about the life and ministry of Jesus, give significant space to the events of the first Palm Sunday.
The Bible tells us that the city of Jerusalem welcomed his entry with a crowd worthy of any rock star. The masses lined the streets and waved branches and coats in the way that Americans wave American flags on the Fourth of July. They chanted out “Hosanna” as Jesus passed them. Hosanna means “save now.” The crowd believed that Jesus would save them. The crowds that will gather to worship on this Palm Sunday believe the same.
The authorities were not happy about all this flag waving and asked Jesus to quiet his disciples down. Jesus responded that if they were silenced even the very rocks would cry out.
Celebrants today are invited to “make some noise” and join the crowd waving palms. UCP will offer two Palm Sunday events this week, March 28. You are invited to join us Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (contemporary music, yes even some “rock music”) or 11 a.m. to a little past noon (traditional music). Palms will be provided.
Good Friday (April 2)
While the crowds welcomed Jesus with cheers on Palm Sunday their shouts soon changed to jeers.
By Friday, Jesus had been arrested, tried and convicted. He was sentenced to capital punishment; death by crucifixion.
He died, and yet we call the day “good.” Why? It is because even now we believe that the crowds’ first cries of “Hosanna” can be answered in faith. We believe Jesus can “save now.”
What is it that Jesus saves us from? In her book “Unbinding the Gospel” Martha Grace Reese talks about the diversity of Christian understanding about what it is that Jesus saves us from.
She writes: “What is the biggest problem of human existence? From what does Jesus save us? Sin? Yes. Jesus saves us from sin. Some parts of the church focus strongly on sin as the main problem. Other churches see death as the biggest human problem. Jesus saves us from death, too. Some parts of the church look at the biggest human problem as distorted human community that draws us away from God and truth. They know that Jesus can heal community, miraculously transform isolated individuals and sick societies. Sin, death, demonic social conditions – they’re all pivotal human questions. They are all questions rooted deeply in scripture … Jesus can save us from each of them.”
The events of Good Friday address each of these issues, sin, death and distorted community. Services on Good Friday read the story of how these things conspired to compel one great act of sacrifice and love on the part of Jesus. They are usually somber services because they end in the death of Jesus – however, we are reminded – it may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!
You are invited to join with the broader Christian Community of Kelseyville and Lakeport for the 20th annual ecumenical Good Friday Service. This year it will be hosted by St. John’s Episcopal Church (Lakeport) at noon. Many local churches will be participating and all are invited. United Christian Parish will also offer a Good Friday service Friday night at 5:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday (April 4)
The ancient Israelis did not practice mummification in the way that the Egyptians did but they did prepare the body for burial in a similar manner with strips of linen and with spices.
The bleakness of Friday was transformed with the dawning of sunrise on Sunday morning when the women close to Jesus went to the tomb to finish the ritual care for Jesus body which had not been completed because of the Sabbath observances.
They came to the tomb but found that it was empty. At first they were afraid his body had been stolen or moved. Soon they heard the astonishing news that he was not dead, he was risen.
In the dark of pre-dawn we gather like the women before us seeking news of his death and resurrection. You are invited to join us at 6:30 a.m. Easter morning at the gazebo in Lakeport’s Library Park.
Following a joyful celebration (with music led by the praise band Wing and a Prayer) you will be invited back to the church for a free breakfast.
At 10 a.m. another celebration will be held, this time in the comfort of the church, with banners and flowers and all the pageantry fitting to this highest of holy days. There will be an old rugged cross (covered with wire) so we can transform it the way the events of Easter transforms us. You are invited to bring a flower from your garden to decorate the cross.
Holy days ~ holidays
No one turns down the offer of spring vacation. Students do not picket the schools begging them to reopen for this week. Teachers do not lament the five days of freedom and the rest of us – well we frequently look back on the days of spring break with longing.
This year, I would like to invite you to take a break from your normal routines and observe the reason behind the breaks and vacations; the holy days that led to the holidays.
United Christian Parish is located at 745 N. Brush St. in Lakeport. Come be a part of the celebration, there is a place waiting for you.
Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth leads the congregation at United Christian Parish.
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