I know that not everybody who reads my books, subscribes to my email list or reads my blog is a Christian. I want you to know that you are welcome here and I count it a privilege to have you in my audience. I really mean that.
You can tune this introduction out if you want to and skip to the bullet points about slowing down and living deeper if you so desire. But since today is Good Friday, that's what is on my mind. It has been all week. I don't come from a faith tradition that celebrates the church calendar, but the older I get, the more I'm drawn to it. Some traditions wave palm branches on Palm Sunday as a reminder of what Jesus encountered as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. He would enter with a king's welcome, and eventually leave on a cross. The waving of palm branches is tangible and I think we need tangible. God created us in his image with five senses. So it seems like touching the branches and feeling their gentle breeze on our skin is a good way to reflect on the events of that day, and the events that would soon follow. Needing something tangible for Passion Week, I went to the "Book of Common Prayer" (I own a 1990 version, but you can find it online now) and read passages from the Maundy Thursday section and Good Friday section. I love the way the reading for Good Friday begins: "On this day the ministers enter in silence. "All then kneel for silent prayer, after which the Celebrant stands and begins the liturgy with the Collect of the Day." If you are a Christian, I hope you'll find some time for silence today, reflecting on Christ's great sacrifice for you. And then I hope you'll stand in joyous anticipation because Sunday is coming. Now, let's get to this week's thoughts about slowing down and living deeper.
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