Maundy Thursday

April 6, 2023

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:11-15
But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

I just saw a news report focusing on the three policemen who were first on-site at the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. Three children and three adults were killed. These three policemen most likely saved many lives in that school, even as they had to kill the woman doing the shooting. In answer to a question, one of them said something to the effect that, as a policeman, he had to put his own life at risk and his family. The Book of Hebrews stresses that Christ gave his life for us and that the nature of that act calls us to further his work in building our world into the Kingdom of God, ruled by love.

I heard on the news this morning that school had been canceled today in one town in Oklahoma as authorities are investigating a shooting threat against the school. Copycat reactions to violence are becoming routine. Doing justice, protecting others, and developing a restorative justice system are each of our responsibilities. We cannot solve the whole problem as individuals and groups, but we can do something. We must find our niche and fulfill our calling.

Prayer: Lord, guide us to find what we can do toward creating the Beloved Community. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.