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JOURNEYING TO THE CROSS AND BEYOND
The Christian Community refers to the forty days before Easter as the period of Lent. It begins with the Transfiguration of Jesus and his time alone in the wilderness where he faces and overcomes temptations. This year’s reflections focus on the week that led to the crucifixion of Jesus, which is known as Holy Week or Passion Week. The Reflections take the reader on a journey through these events climaxing with Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus outside the empty tomb.
Using a pattern of storytelling, stories from events in Holy Week are retold. Each of these stories is followed by a contemporary story created for readers to Ponder on the relevance of the stories for today. Texts from the Gospels will take the reader from The Death of Lazarus, Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus, The Cleansing of the Temple, The Passover Meal, Gethsemane, The Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus and the Resurrection of Jesus. No one Gospel tells the full story of the events that occurred. However the differences in the texts do not in any way affect the validity of the events. The different insights present the same story from different viewpoints.
The Contemporary English Version of the Bible is used as the text. The creative style for retelling episodes read into the silences that surround the people and the events that occur. I am indebted to a hermeneutic created by the Biblical Scholar Dr. Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza which invites readers to go beyond the written text, to ask questions, and most importantly to let God speak through the words and the silences.
Two stories focus on one event each week with a few points to Ponder and a brief prayer. The retelling from the Biblical Narrative is suggested for reading each Sunday. The contemporary story is suggested for each Wednesday. The points to Ponder may stay with the reader through each week. Readers are invited to take time to pause, to Ponder and ask their own questions.
May the journey through the events that led Jesus to death by crucifixion, to Mary Magdalene’s words “He is risen!” and to the presence of Christ who journeys with us today, be with you. Peace!
Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera.
The Worship Team at Gungahlin Uniting Church is very grateful that Ranjini Rebera has shared her gifts in writing and reflections on the Scripture with us once again. We hope that, as we journey through the period of Lent and Easter, the reflections will help us focus our minds and hearts on the events that occurred. Let us allow ourselves to risk asking some of the large questions of life, and listen to what God is saying to us today.
Margaret Reeson
Chair Worship Team Gungahlin Uniting Church and Community Centre
What images come to mind when you read the stories of Jesus in the Gospels? What are the key stories for you, the ones that really stick in your mind, that really have a hold on you?
In this collection of reflections Ranjini has retold some of the stories which have a hold on her, linking them with stories that she has written. As Ranjini weaves these stories together she invites us to reflect on scripture with different ears.
This is an invitation to explore our own stories and how they may intersect with scripture. I wonder, can you take inspiration from Ranjini and write your own re-imaginings of scripture, can you tell stories that help yourself and others engage with the gospel in different ways?
It may be helpful to give you a trigger warning, these stories aren’t always easy to read. They are stories of conflict, loss, grief, illness and hope. It might be good to read the creative reflections with a friend, partner or spouse.
Thank you again Ranjini for offering your gifts to help others reflect on their own faith story this Lent.
Darren Wright
Gungahlin Uniting Church