The Roller Coaster of Holy Week

One of my favorite things to do at amusement parks is to ride roller coasters. I have a slight fear of heights, so the initial climb is sometimes harrowing, but the thrill of racing downhill, twists and turns, and even going upside down makes it all worth it. My favorite kinds are the ones where your legs swing freely, which for me brings back the fun sensation of swinging on a playground. I didn’t always like roller coasters, though. As a child, I had to be coaxed to even try them, and I remember gripping the lap bar with white knuckles. The first few rides were rough. I didn’t know what to expect with each new style of coaster. The first time a standing coaster was introduced, I was convinced it was my last ride ever because the seat didn’t fully lock into place until just before the first drop. Things were new and unfamiliar, which in some ways added to the fun, if I was able to convince myself that things would all be fine in the end. Now, I look forward to these attractions, and even like riding the same coaster multiple times in a row, trying out different spots to have a different perspective or experience of the ride.

If we think about the season of Lent as the slow initial climb, then Holy Week is our roller coaster ride. Packed into only a few days, we experience the most dramatic twists and turns of our faith story. Palm Sunday takes us to the top height with a glorious celebration of Christ as King, marked with the waving of palms and the shouts of Hosanna. On Maundy Thursday, we coast alongside the disciples at the Last Supper, and then experience the twists and turns of the betrayal and Jesus’ arrest. Good Friday plummets us down to the lowest point as we grapple with the darkness of the crucifixion. The ride jerks to a halt in that darkness, letting the gravity of the moment truly sink in. Then, on the third day, we are vaulted and propelled into the light of Easter morning. The tomb is empty – Christ is Risen! Breathless, we are able to celebrate that all of the wildness of our journey has come to an end, and has led us to a place of peace and security.

Like a roller coaster, this week can be a wild ride. It can be uncomfortable and even scary in places if we allow ourselves to be fully drawn into the richness of the story. But doing so can deepen our faith and make us more appreciative of that moment when the ride is over and our feet are again on solid ground. This year, as a congregation we will have several special services to guide us through this ride. I invite you to consider joining us for each service, so that you can experience all of the twists and turns that our gospel story has to offer, and proclaim the good news on Easter morning with the spirit of one who has been along for the ride. I guarantee you the end result will be worth it.

Peace, Elizabeth