A Reflection for Holy Week
And God saw that it was very good.
And it was, for a time.
Humanity walked beside the Creator.
In Union.
As One.
Until they did not.
I’m still here, God said.
I’ve never left.
This separation is illusion.
A fool’s perception.
An alienation of heart and mind.
A wandering on your part alone.
Toxic?
Yes.
Consequential?
Yes.
But don’t you see?
I’m still here.
But they would not hear it.
And so they sacrificed.
Grasping at straws
Hoping to appease.
To win favor.
Silly. Foolish. Unnecessary.
But what else could they do
In their dismembered state?
So God said, okay.
I’ll meet you here.
In your ignorance.
Sacrifice your bulls and goats.
And in the offering learn of
My Mercy raining down.
My Mercy, which never left you.
My steadfast love.
See.
Believe.
Remember.
Walk beside me.
In Union.
As One.
And so it went.
Year after year.
The blood poured out.
And in the pouring,
For a time, they
Saw.
Believed.
Remembered.
Walked afresh beside God.
In Union.
As One.
Until they did not.
And God let it be so.
Round and round.
Age upon age.
Even as he asked,
Where can you go from my presence?
If you flee to the far side of the sea, am I not there?
If you make your bed in Sheol, am I not there?
How can I give you up?
Can a mother forget her child?
How then can I forget you?
My love is steadfast.
It endures forever.
I’m still here.
See.
Believe.
Remember.
Walk beside me.
In Union.
As One.
But they would not.
And so,
One day,
When the time came round,
God became the sacrifice.
Not for blood,
But for love.
I’m still here, God said.
Do you see now?
In this offering?
My Mercy raining down?
My Mercy, which never left you?
My steadfast love?
See.
Believe.
Remember.
As I die beside you.
In Union.
As One.
Under Christ’s Mercy,
Brent