Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” -Jesus
I'm Jill and I'm a christian outside of the church. I left regular church-going a few years back. When I say church, I mean the church as an institution, all that brick and mortary stuff. My family packed it in after many years of being faithful churchgoers, giving up on finding a church in our community where we fit. I had most recently enjoyed Episcopal worship, they are typically progressive and I always felt at home there. Still, after a few 5 years of positive, but sporadic attendance with Episcopal brethren, I find myself, pretty much out of regular fellowship with traditional church.
Overall, Holy Week is a new tradition for me, I was greatly thrilled by it when I first started Episcopal services in 2009. The concept of Holy Week had been completely ignored by the churches I was brought up in and attended. It was all about Easter. No Lent, no Palm Sunday, no Good Friday or any of the other services. I was fascinated the first year by the observances and was greatly enriched by them. The last few years my enthusiasm for the church version of Holy Week (with all it's pageantry) has waned. In many ways the Episcopal church saved me from falling away from my faith, but now I don't feel as if I even need that safety net anymore.
I am currently a christian who is free-styling through life's journey, allowing myself to be of use where the Spirit leads me, learning to go with the flow. I have no walls to work within these days. Holy Week is observed now in my heart. I may get out and go to Easter this year, I might not. Either way, I'm good with whatever I decide. My faith and faith practices are always evolving, that is for certain and my needs change as the evolution continues day by day, year by year. One thing however remains consistent, and that is my connection to Christ, the abiding Divine Presence in my Spirit. In church or away from church,I'm never separated from that Love that dwells within.
This Holy Week and Easter, I will be reflecting on that Love whether in my computer chair or on a church pew.
Lord Christ, this Holy Week, let us reflect on your Divine Love, which abides with us all at all times and all places. Thank you for enlightening our hearts and minds that we may love as you loved us. So be it.