Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are not the banner days for church attendance like Christmas Eve and Easter morning. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are hard and difficult days to face. They story is told of Jesus’ betrayal by a friend, the sham of a trial, the desertion of some his followers, the conspiring of leaders in politics and religion to get rid of him, and the changeable nature of mob mentality.
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are two of my favourite services. Quiet and reflective, somber and meditative they lead us to places where depth of feeling, passion and grief can be released and held in the comfort of community and the love of God.
I often turn, on these days to the poetry of the late Ann Weems. She was a writer, speaker, liturgist and workshop leader. Her book of poetry, Kneeling in Jerusalem walks us through the season of Lent to the glory of Easter. I offer you now one of her poems for this Good Friday
Friday
The sky peels back to purple and thunder slap the thighs of heaven,
and all the tears of those who grieve
fly up to clouds and are released
and drench the earth.
The ones who see and hear know that all is lost.
The only one named Saviour died upon a cross.
The ones who believed and loved huddle together stunned.
All night long the angels weep.
