Holy Week

To the Leader: A lament of David when Nathan the prophet went to him after his affair with Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, Elohim, according to your merciful kindness let your great and tender compassion remove my defiance. Thoroughly wash away my guilt, and from iniquity cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; and my rebellion is ever before me. Psalm 51:1-3 Translation: BE

The word “sin,” usually used at the end of verse 3, has pretty well lost its relevance in the twenty-first century, but this pericope expresses the brutal honesty a person encounters when faced with the accusation of a standard. The Psalmist confesses his failure and pleas for mercy and the grace of reconciliation. We enter into the final days of Lent aware of our own estrangement from our Creator. We long for a union which will assuage our torn loyalties. The romance we found waving palm branches of self-absorption, self-conceit, self-righteousness, and self-delusion leads only to destruction. Holy Week celebrates the revelation of the truth that cleanses away our selfishness: Y’shua of Nazareth, the Incarnation - embodiment of Elohim, walked the sorrowful way through our own dissatisfaction to greet us at the other end of our trials. May this week be a time to consider how very brave Y'shua was to embrace our crosses. Shalom, Mother BE




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