Listen

The soldiers took Jesus prisoner. Carrying his cross by himself, he went out to a place called Skull Place (in Aramaic, Golgotha). That’s where they crucified him—and two others with him, one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a public notice written and posted on the cross. It read “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”

Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

After this, knowing that everything was already completed, in order to fulfill the scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was nearby, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, placed it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed.” Bowing his head, he gave up his life.

John 19:16b-19, 25-30

Think

I was in the hospital a lot growing up. While there are many things I don’t remember from that time, what I do remember is every single person who sat by my bedside during some of the most painful days of my life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that you find out who “your people” are, because they are the ones who show up for you when everything else is falling apart.

While today’s text about the last moments of Jesus’ life may be hard to read, I find comfort in remembering the people who showed up for Jesus. I wonder what it must have felt like for him to be surrounded by the people he loved?

Good Friday challenges us to be the kind of people who show up for one another, even when it’s hard to do. And if you and I are able to sit with one another in times of pain, loss, grief, and even in death itself, we might just be surprised by the God who shows up and meets us here.

Mary Alice Birdwhistell

Pray

God, help me to know how and when and where you are inviting me to show up in this world. And help me to pay attention to the ways in which you continually show up for me, even when I least expect it. Amen.

Go

As you go about this Holy Week,
don’t be afraid to go to the edge
of what seems most ordinary
and comfortable
and familiar.

Because if you pay attention,
you will find that
extraordinary Love is hidden
in the most unexpected places around you,
and even within you.

And once you encounter it,
this Love will
never leave you the same.

May you have the courage to show up this week.

May you live fully in each fragile moment.

And may you do even the smallest things with extravagant Love.

Amen.