Shadows

The meal has been served.
The bread has been broken.

The cup has been lifted.

Shadows are unfolding.

The longings have been made known.

The pleading with others to stay awake; to pay attention has unfolded.

The betrayal has happened.

Shadows are enveloping.

The betrayer arrived.

The darkness of the cell envelopes.

The charges are made.

Shadows are lingering.

The crowd gathered.

The judgment fell.

The sentence is set.

Shadows are darkening.

Last night communities of faith gathered to break bread with one another anointed one another with oil, washed one another's hands and feet, and proclaimed messages of remembering who we are as people of God.  In the midst of it all, I was distracted because, for the past two weeks, our state has felt the veil of a deep, dark shadow descending upon us and yesterday it took its grip upon our city. 

While we gathered around tables as people of faith and remembered our story in relationship to God's story, another kind of gathering was taking place.  It was a gathering in which self-righteous individuals brought down judgment upon three individuals simply because they are fearful of what these individuals are teaching, how they are conducting their lives, and the message of liberation that they seek for all. These three individuals have a following, have crowds who are supportive and are willing to walk in step with a lifestyle where compassion is given so freely that leaves one surprised.  These individuals are living lives that offer a sense of healing in the most unexpected places for the most unexpected people.  These individuals are expelling the darkness of hatred with the light of love that is given without warrant.  And yet, they are being sentenced because others are afraid.  

As our night ended, as we dismissed in an attitude of prayer the sentences were handed down.  Two men of color were expelled from their positions.  The third {a woman}, stood in dismay, wanting to make a stand for them but the crowds pressed in.  Her life was threatened and so she retreated just enough to care for herself in the aftermath of the threats of what had unfolded.  

Today, we gather again as people of faith to make our way to the cross.  I am mindful that in the midst of the distractions, in the midst of judgments being made out of fear, and sentences being handed down to placate the powers at the top there is one that has experienced this before.  One for which shadows enveloped him, the reality of hatred lingered and the darkness labeled him as a criminal.  

The shadows, the judgments, and death led him to something they could not have anticipated; a dawning of a new day.  A day in which God's own spirit fell upon a community, in their diversity a path forward was laid forth, a path to live lives that showed compassion in ways that surprised the receiver, brought healing in unexpected ways to the shattered systems, offered mercy without warrant and began the beacon of light in shadows because they gave love despite hate.

In our anger.

In the shadows that have encapsulated us.

In the judgments and sentences that have been handed down.

On this day when shouts have turned to dismay,  and shadows are lingering let us not forget the shadow of something larger is before us; the shadow of the cross that sits before us. It is the person hanging in the shadows, whose breath is slowly fading, that beacons us to live in the richness of love, mercy, and kindness in this world when others are shouting and proclaiming judgment.  Let us make something good of this Good Friday.