The Way

On Ash Wednesday we begin our Lenten journey by listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd, the one who knows us by name and calls us into life. As we receive ashes, we are reminded of our humanity, yet we are also reminded that we are deeply loved and held by God.

This Sunday we witness Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb, revealing a love that refuses to let death and despair have the final word. Jesus invites us to meet human sorrow with our presence and our compassion so that all may walk in freedom and hope.

In a culture that often prizes status and self-promotion, Jesus shows that true greatness is found in tender, embodied care for one another. This humble act encourages us to become a community shaped by self-giving love, where power is used to lift up rather than dominate.

The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus exposes the fear, shame, and weakness that can surface in us all, yet it also reveals a grace that refuses to abandon or condemn. This Sunday in worship, we acknowledge our own failures and fears, and we hear the Good News that Jesus continues to hold us with compassion.

Before Pilate, Jesus refuses to conform to the violent logic of empire by exposing injustice. Christ’s bold truth-telling invites us to discern what it means to live truthfully in a world marked by misinformation and fear. When we embody a truth that is rooted in love, we find  God’s liberation.

In his own suffering, Jesus stands with all who are abused, marginalized, or silenced, and reveals God’s presence in the midst of pain. The church is invited to stand with those who suffer today, trusting that God is near and that love remains stronger than the forces that seek to destroy.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds rejoice with hope, yet Jesus speaks of a grain of wheat that must fall into the earth and die in order to bear much fruit. This paradox prepares us for the mystery of Holy Week, where surrender becomes the path to life.

At this simple meal, we remember that Jesus forms a community bound together by love, generosity, and mutual care. This service invites us to reflect on the meaning of giving ourselves for the sake of others and to embody a love that nourishes and sustains.

Covenant Choir and soloists, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble, will present Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem in observance of Good Friday. The service will be held at BCOC on Friday, April 3 at 6:00 pm. We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors.

When Jesus speaks Mary Magdalene’s name, she recognizes the living Christ and becomes the first witness to the resurrection. In this resurrection story, we witness a love that cannot be extinguished, a love that calls each of us into new life and renewed purpose. Today we celebrate the Good News that love always leads to new life.