On Monday, I watched as Notre Dame Cathedral burned. As the steeple fell, engulfed in flames, my heart skipped a beat. I watched the news for hours as the fire continued to burn, not knowing how much of the church would survive. And then the singing began. People gathered all around the building, began to lift their voices in song; a prayer for this ancient structure, a prayer for those battling the fire, and a prayer for what people around the world were witnessing. The commitment to rebuild the church came quickly, even before Tuesday’s dawn revealed how much damage there has been.
We are in the middle of Holy Week. Tomorrow, on Maundy Thursday, many of us will gather to celebrate the beginnings of the Last Supper. This is a solemn time for us as we remember our Savior’s sorrowful journey to the cross. Each year, I can’t help but wonder how that night, and our Savior’s life might’ve unfolded differently, if one of the disciples had remained with Him.
I know that the Gospels inform us that this was the path Jesus had to take for our salvation. And yet, if John, James, Thomas or even Peter had declared their support, would that night have been any different? As I enter into a time of deep sorrowful meditation and reflection, I still struggle with this “what if”. We are an Easter people who know that Sunday is coming, that our Savior’s death was only temporary, and that His Resurrection is assured.
For now, as we once again lift up the events of Thursday and Friday, may we give the Lord thanks for all that He has done for our salvation. We have been forgiven for all the ways in which we have broken the covenant with our God. We have received an invitation to be a part of the heavenly banquet which will hold the finest bread and the sweetest cup. We have been cleansed by the one who has many names, including the Lamb of God. We live in the loving embrace of our Creator, who is with us as we journey through valleys, face struggles and carry the burdens that sometimes life will bring.
May you be blessed as we remember this Holy Thursday and Friday and know that Easter is coming. And Amen.