As I write this, it’s now dark out on Good Friday night. I’m at my desk a bit too wired from the day to go directly home, instead relishing the opportunity in my quiet office to reflect on the day just been. I have to wonder what the disciples and all the observers were thinking that night after the crucifixion… a day where they not only experience Jesus suffering and dying on the cross, but a day where they laid him in a tomb… dead, or so they thought.

It always strikes me as quite amazing to see the world continue on a day like today. When I was little I thought everyone would stop the busy-ness of their lives when something so amazing happened, not so. That’s always the scandal of Good Friday… a day Jesus dies for the sins of you and me yet so many go on as if it were any other day. I wonder if the disciples felt that way?  Or perhaps they felt that Jesus had betrayed them in death, maybe they were just as glad that people didn’t turn up. In any case, it always makes me sad that the church isn’t absolutely packed out on a night like tonight…

Personally, without Good Friday, the Easter experience is dulled, I have to experience the valley of the shadow of death on Good Friday, to realize again the power of the Easter Resurrection.

Well, what an emotional day its been. We began at Noon in the torrential rain with just over 200 of you at the Gazebo to start our journey to the cross, a journey that took us down East Bay Street to the Exchange building and back into St. Michael’s, 7 stations in all, read by the clergy of St. Michaels, St. John’s Lutheran, First Scots Presbyterian and First Baptist.

After that powerful and moving stations of the Cross, we then came back for a 3pm liturgy. This was new this year but over 70 of you came to this very simple liturgy of the Cross. This was followed by our 7pm service with the beautiful sounds of the Choir and Organ.

I have to say that after such a day, I’m ready for a day of spiritual counsel and hearing confessions tomorrow on Holy Saturday. As always it is the highest privilege leading you as your Shepherd.