For those of us who are Christians this week is probably the second most important week of the entire year next to Christmas and the birth of Jesus. We are in the midst of holy week, which consists of Maundy Thursday where we remember and reflect on the event of the last supper and the time Jesus spent with his disciples before being crucified. The next day Good Friday we gather to hear the passion story and remember and reflect on the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Some churches will choose to do an Easter vigil Saturday night followed by Easter worship Sunday morning while others choose to just stick with the Easter morning service.
The events that we remember and reflect on during this week give a significant amount of meaning too much of our Christian faith. Normally I have found Holy Week to be a very contemplative spiritual time. I usually come away from feeling spiritually full and ready to live out a Christ centered life.
However this year as been different. We are nearing the end of the semester just a quick four weeks away (Yikes I am almost done with my first year of seminary!). We where also notified on Maundy Thursday that the administration of the seminary has decided to eliminate the Dean of Students position as a way to balance the budget. This has been taken very hard by the student body and for me personally has made it very difficult to fully participate spiritually in Holy Week.
As I was talking with a good friend of mine back in Washington today about this announcement and some of the student organizing around it I complained that I was tired of always being part of organizations that needed so much change. She gracefully reminded me that just about every organization and institution has room for change so I better get use to it. I guess I did get a college degree in a program that has prepared me for social change and has equipped me to be that change agent!
As I sat down at my desk to spend some time reflecting on this phone conversation and a meeting of the student body that happened earlier in the day I read this verse from Psalm 138 v 8 that is inscribed on a cross that was given to me as a graduation present “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love O lord, endures forever”. I read this on a somewhat regular basis as a reminder that I have been called to be here. But today out of all the rest this verse had significantly more power. It reminded me of why I felt called to ministry in the first place. I believe I am called to ministry because of my ability to see the possibility for change and to make that change happen.
So I will try and remember this in the next couple of weeks as my fellow students and I have to be the ones to ask the tough questions and do the hard work of social change.
I would like to end by asking all of you to in what ever way you choose to do this please keep myself and the community of the seminary in your minds, prayers, thoughts, etc.
Peace and Love
Tony
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