During the season of Lent, I will be sharing a short post each day as part of the Lent-Photo-a-Day Journey, providing a sort of brief reflection and witness through the journey to and through the cross, to the tomb, and out into the world.

The word designated for March 31st was “Prepare.”

How do you prepare? How do you get ready?

If you are a leader in a congregational setting this week you are likely putting the final run through’s in your head of Holy Week services and preparing for different worship experiences. It reminds me a little of a wedding rehearsal (such as this one) where the groomsmen are wearing Hawaiian shirts and the bridesmaids wearing light summer dresses. Part of preparing for something is going through a walk through and experiencing it briefly so as to be prepared for the actual event.

During Holy Week, we not only prepare for worship. We also prepare to be reminded and amazed at the ability of God to work in creation. We are reminded that death does not have the last say, and that God has the power over death. We are reminded of the pain and broken relationships and betrayal. We are reminded of our own sin and human frailty, and yet, we are reminded of the great extent to which God and Christ will go to make that relationship right and bring us back into relationship with God.

As you prepare and continue on your Holy Week journey, what are you preparing for? What questions are you pondering? What (if anything) are you worried or stressed about this week? What are your hopes and dreams?