This Moment

"…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace, was upon him, and by his wounds we are… healed." 

The third week of Lent! This third week of four places us 11 days from the onset of Holy Week. Are you ready? Soon we will be hearing, once again, about the events in the final week of Jesus' life. Soon we will, again, follow Christ to the cross. Soon, if we let it, the impact of this primary reality of the Christian life will lead us to our own crosses and–ultimately–to redemption.

The Gospel will tell the story of the Transfiguration, the temptations, the terror, the trial, the betrayal, the torture and the death of Jesus. In these pages we are given the opportunity to walk again the road to Jerusalem, entering victoriously into the Holy City with Jesus, only to stand by helplessly as he is nailed to a tree.

In terms of time, we have 264 hours (give or take) left in our liturgical preparation, in terms of our lives, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). What lies ahead in Holy Week calls to us now. What we join in the Holy Week services, is happening right now in our soul. What we look forward to, is present in this moment. 

*This is the moment
This Is the day
When I send all of my doubts and demons
On their way
Every endeavor I have made ever
Is coming into play, yes, here and now today

VERSE

This is the moment
This is the time
When the momentum and the moment are in rhyme
Give me this moment
This precious chance
I′ll gather up my past
And make some sense at last

CHORUS

This is the moment
When all I've done
All of the dreaming, scheming, and screaming become one
This is the day
See it sparkle and shine
When all I′ve lived for becomes mine

BRIDGE

For all these years
I've faced the world alone
And now the time has come
To prove to them I've made it on my own

CHORUS

This is the moment
My final test
Destiny beckoned
I never reckoned second best
I won′t look down
I must not fall
This is the moment
The sweetest moment of them all

OUTRO

This is the moment
Damn all the odds
This day or never
I sit forever with the gods
When I look back
I will always recall
Moment for moment
This was the moment
The greatest moment of them all

Now, right now, reflect on the pain in your heart and spirit, that your mind tries to hard to mitigate. Reflect on how you have been tempted. On how you have been betrayed, by friends, loved ones. On how you have chosen the self over others, how you have been the betrayer. Have you forgiven those others? Have you faced and asked for forgiveness for your own actions? How are you living now in response to the ministry (life) you have been given by God? Where is God in your life? Where is Jesus included in the regular work, rest and play of your day?

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation”

Collect your things, these things, and allow Jesus to accept them, nailed to Cross along with Him. Jesus is taking that deliberate and difficult walk to Jerusalem and to Golgotha, specifically to take your burdens on himself. Will you walk with him? Will you give Him that which he commanded you to give?, Your pain? Your fears? Your regrets? Your secrets? Is now the time—for you?
​
 "…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace, was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Giving, as commanded,

Fr. Bill+

* This is the Moment from Jekyll and Hyde— the Musical
          Written by: Leslie Bricusse and Frank N. Wildhorn