WALKING THROUGH HOLY WEEK

(Thanks to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Roseville, MN for the image.)

I tried this Holy Week nature walk a few days ago, and found it be a reflective, unique way to remember the incredible stories of the week. I was surprised that I could find something appropriate for each of the descriptions listed. This walk was yet another reminder that when we pay attention, we can find God everywhere, always revealing love. Here are the photos; I put them in order of the biblical narrative.

Mark 11:8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. (a leafy branch)

Mark 14:3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. (something broken)

Mark 14:17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. (twelve of something – two are close together)

Luke 22:14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. (a table)

John 13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. (water)

John 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (a heart)

Mark 15:17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on him. (something thorny)

John 19:5 So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” (something purple)

Mark 15:21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. (a cross)

Mark 15:46 Then Joseph bought a linen cloth and, taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. (a stone)

John 19:40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. (a sweet scent)

Mark 14:72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (the sound of a bird)

Mark 16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. (something empty)

Luke 24:5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. (something springing to life)

John 20:19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” (something hiding)

HE IS RISEN INDEED! (each letter of ALLELUIA)

May new life…
given in Christ,
displayed in springtime,
offered in each moment,
bring you every hope and joy this season.

Bible verses are the NRSVUE found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
(Photos by Karen)