Between a Good Table and Good Friday
Good Friday is not about us trying to "get right with God." It is about us entering the difference between God and humanity and just touching it for a moment. Touching the shimmering sadness of humanity's insistence that we can be our own gods, that we can be pure and all-powerful. ― Nadia Bolz-Weber, Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People
It’s been a tough few years for those of us who are naturally inclined to be cock-eyed optimists. Worse still for those raised with the old-fashioned notion that “if you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.” Instead, especially if you dare to spend more than 30 seconds on social media, it is the reverse: “if you don’t have anything foul and repulsive to post, don’t bother”.
Sure there are always folks posting cute cat videos, adorable baby pictures, and lovely scenes from nature. And it is amazing to be able to stream so much gorgeous music and look at inspiring photos and art on any device around the house. But this sort of positive media engagement only provides a temporary respite from the multitude of global and local crises all happening at once. Plus, of course, every single person is contending with their own problems from poverty to unemployment and/or so many different life afflictions from addiction to terminal cancer.
And suddenly, the calendar tells me it’s Holy Week again and here comes Good Friday, the day of remembrance for the crucifixion of Jesus. Over the years, I have found that grappling with the horrifying death of Jesus has indeed been good, in that, it has made space for contemplating suffering in the communities I serve and in my own life so that I can grow in compassion and spiritual maturity.
In some years, my contemplation has taken the form of political protest against needless suffering due to HIV/AIDS, the plight of the unhoused and hungry, the constant violence against women and children, and over 25 years of ministry, we seem to always be able to see “Jesus crucified again” in yet one more war.
This year, even as the unjust war against Ukraine continues, I am more mindful of the necessity to be sure that the contemplation of suffering built in to the observance of Good Friday leads to new life and not just more destruction.
We are seriously overdue for a real Easter celebration.
Several United Church of Christ congregations nearby will be gathering for Good Friday @First Church, Berkeley at 7p. And while we will yet again dive deep into the challenges of contemplating the death of Jesus, it will also be a joy to simply be in the same room together after two years of online only gathering. And, because the pandemic has brought some gifts, the service will also be available via livestream for those near and far who cannot be “in the house” with us.
Moving between a Good Table where all are welcomed with love and joy to the suffering of Good Friday where we all confront the suffering of our own lives and the whole world creates a necessary balance for our souls, even though it can be awfully hard.
May we all find new wells of compassion that will deepen our joy when Easter finally comes again.