Christians throughout the world today sense themselves “called out,” complicit in the suffering and violence of the world. We hear the cries, “Why have you forsaken me?” from all walks of people and animals and Earth herself. THIS Good Friday, perhaps like no other, we see and experience face-to-face the world’s collective shadow through the millions of lives lost daily throughout the world. And as we lament, we recommit to re-member LIFE.
Benedictus
In your leaving
we say peace.
With the last light of you dying
we say peace.
And where there is no peace
we say peace
in the hope it will rest in our bones.In your going
we say joy.
With the last breath of you leaving
we say joy.
And where there is no joy
we say joy
in the hope it will dwell in our flesh.In your departing
we say love.
With Earth taking you in
we say love.
And where there is no love
we say love
in the hope it will come to our souls.—Jan Richardson, In Wisdom’s Path, 69
—Ann Jackson, PBVM, Prairiewoods spiritual services coordinator