Love

Divine love, God’s love

His love for humanity and the world

Love transcending time and space

Entering our world of darkness

Overcoming all that oppresses

Standing firm in the face of temptation

The love that is his love but also ours

His gift to us

That we too might overcome the evil that oppresses

The times of trial that torment our living.

Expiate

His atoning sacrifice

The journey from manger to cross

Was for us

For by his stripes we are healed

A life lived for others

A life given for others

No greater love than this

To give one’s life

For one’s friends.

Can we follow his way of love?

Dare we follow?

Will we make our sacrifice

For him, for others?

Night

A world of darkness

Jesus prays

His followers sleep

Then they come

The deed is done

We sleep while the world suffers

Looking but not seeing

The suffering of others

The searing pain of loss

Of home

Of dignity

Of hope

Closed eyes a metaphor for Closed hearts and doors

Trial

Jesus stands before them

These men who would try him Rich and powerful

Sanhedrin, Priests and Romans

The greatest trial still to come

In all our trials Jesus walks with us

Our trials are his trials

The trial of pain and loss

Of unemployment and uncertainty

Of anxiety and anguish.

Lord Jesus, as we journey with you

Through the temptations and trials of Lent,

And beyond, be with us.

Give us grace to face the night time of our trials

As you faced the trial of the cross for us.

Help us to remember you are in control of all things

Bringing good out of evil, hope out of adversity, and life out of death.