The World Doesn't Stop for Holy Week

I was talking to someone this weekend who asked what I was up to this week.  I responded with, “It’s Holy Week, so I am rather busy.”  They responded by asking, “What exactly is Holy Week?”  Generally speaking, I try not to use church jargon when I don’t know someone’s religious background.  Still, there are times when I am caught off-guard when someone is unfamiliar with what I consider a commonly used term.  While I was surprised, I only let my surprise last a half a step before I was able to give my four-sentence summary: “Palm Sunday (yesterday) is the day when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.  He spends the week debating with the local religious authority.  On Thursday, he has his last supper with his followers before he is arrested early the next morning.  By Friday afternoon, he is crucified but then he rises from the dead on Sunday”
Having to explain this to someone I know reminded me that the world doesn’t stop for Holy Week anymore.  While some places still close for Good Friday or Easter Sunday, many places still don’t.  Let me be clear, I am not complaining about this.  Our culture doesn’t stop for holy days, weeks, or months for other religions either.  Our world is much more globalized and secularized than it used to be.  That means we get to enjoy the richness of many cultures without leaving our neighborhoods - but it also means that the wider culture can feel indifferent to the holiest and most meaningful days in our respective religious calendars.  I have memories of leaving a service that struck me to my core, and then interacting with people on the sidewalk like nothing had changed in the outside world.  It was jarring to see that people didn't notice or care.
But our culture's indifference means we all have to intentionally set aside time to sit with the stories of Holy Week.  Culture is not going to force you to consider how power is abused and how Jesus stood up to the corrupt and powerful.  No one is going to drag you to the table to hear about how Jesus recklessly loved us and all of humanity.  You are not forced to sit at the foot of the cross and meditate on the human inclination towards violence and death.
If you want to make your Holy Week feel truly holy, you are going to have to carve out time to sit with the story, and dwell with the struggles of the characters.  If you want a place to gather where you will hear the story again, join us for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  But for however dark the week feels, know that Easter will come just the same.  Whether the world ignores it or eagerly waits for it, Jesus and his abundant love will always break through our world once again.

Blessings,
Pastor Chris