I don’t know you but it feels really weird preparing for a celebration for Easter, when we know so many people are still living their Good Friday lives. The people in Gaza have no resources and the senseless killing of Palestinians continues. Hundreds of asylum seekers in our neighborhoods continue to struggle to find food, housing and other basic necessities. Syria, Haiti, Ukraine and Afghanistan are few of other countries where life is challenging. All this seems the same as the first resurrection experience- when folk were living in fear of the Roman empire. Those who had been with Jesus were afraid to accept the same because they knew their lives were in danger also. They could be next! 

Beloveds I am watching the snow fall gently to the ground and cover the grass with white fluff, but it is unable to cover the ground! The green and the tiny purple wildflowers are peeking through the snow reminding me of the cycle of life, and of the liturgical season we are in. This Sunday, March 24th,  we celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with people celebrating, singing and waving palm branches as we relive that celebration with Palms!

As we approach Easter, the celebration of life over death,  and good over evil, I share with you the message of our UM Bishops who have come together to demand for “an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and pledge our prayers and commitment to work for a durable peace for Israelis, Palestinians…”