He Received the Bread, He Went Out … And It was Night
In John’s Gospel today (13:21-33, 36-38) before the festival of the Passover, there is a distinctly different mood than in another meal just previous to this. During the latter, in the home of Martha, Lazarus and Mary in Bethany (12: 1 – 11) there is joy, lightness of being, people everywhere, a banquet – and the fragrance of the most expensive perfume throughout the house. None of this in today’s text. Instead, there is a pervasive troubled spirit, anxiousness, hearts that are heavy, and most of all, betrayal and denial already underway.
On this day, April 7, 1994, in Rwanda a fearful message went out from radio stations: it was time to “cut the tall trees” and eliminate the “cockroaches.” In the account of Immaculee Ilibagiza, survivor, (written in “Give us this Day, April 2020), this was the signal for Hutu militia to begin wholesale extermination of their Tutsi neighbors and moderate Hutus. During 100 days nearly one million people were killed usually by the most primitive weapons. Ilibagiza writes: “Most of the massacres occurred in churches, where Tutsis had sought refuge. That such a horror could occur in a predominantly Catholic country … Nuns, priests and catechists were among the victims. (In other cases shockingly, they collaborated with the killers.) … the international community largely stood by and watched … there were also many individuals who showed immense courage in their efforts to save others, whether neighbors or strangers. Among those labelled ‘cockroaches,’ there were many who bravely asserted their humanity and died proclaiming the name of God.”
The text from John today was relived once again during those horrific three months, and in far too many other events since. Part of a vortex of pain from which love and hope are called forth more urgently than ever.
Monday – Wednesday
10:00 – 11:00 am Eucharist & Sitting
Holy Thursday
11:30 am Meditation Sitting
5:00 Eucharist
Good Friday
On this day, April 7, 1994, in Rwanda a fearful message went out from radio stations: it was time to “cut the tall trees” and eliminate the “cockroaches.” In the account of Immaculee Ilibagiza, survivor, (written in “Give us this Day, April 2020), this was the signal for Hutu militia to begin wholesale extermination of their Tutsi neighbors and moderate Hutus. During 100 days nearly one million people were killed usually by the most primitive weapons. Ilibagiza writes: “Most of the massacres occurred in churches, where Tutsis had sought refuge. That such a horror could occur in a predominantly Catholic country … Nuns, priests and catechists were among the victims. (In other cases shockingly, they collaborated with the killers.) … the international community largely stood by and watched … there were also many individuals who showed immense courage in their efforts to save others, whether neighbors or strangers. Among those labelled ‘cockroaches,’ there were many who bravely asserted their humanity and died proclaiming the name of God.”
The text from John today was relived once again during those horrific three months, and in far too many other events since. Part of a vortex of pain from which love and hope are called forth more urgently than ever.
Jesus, Remember Me When You Come into Your Kindom.
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Monday – Wednesday10:00 – 11:00 am Eucharist & Sitting
Holy Thursday
11:30 am Meditation Sitting
5:00 Eucharist
Good Friday
11:30 am Meditation Sitting
3:00 pm Passion of Christ &
Silent Prayer
Holy Saturday
3:00 pm Passion of Christ &
Silent Prayer
Holy Saturday
11:30 am Meditation Sitting
5:00 pm Easter Eucharist
5:00 pm Easter Eucharist
- Glenn -
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