Holy Week Update: Life Intrudes

Last Wednesday, I tentatively and quietly returned to church. Part of me wanted to stay home another day, but I couldn't bear to miss my favorite Lenten activity: Holden Evening Prayer. I was scheduled to lead it that evening, and I was looking forward to it desperately. I found however, as I sang, that I could not reach the high notes, did not have the necessary breath support. Once or twice I actually opened my mouth and nothing came out.

After services, my husband called to ask if I would come over to the hospital. His father had fallen again, while they were at the grocery store. While he was not injured, everyone thought it might be a good idea for him to spend a few days in a nursing home, trying to strengthen his legs, which seemed quite weak.

Late Saturday night, we got another phone call. My husband's dad was being taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital, as he had suddenly become quite ill.

It turns out that he has pneumonia: a lot of pneumonia, one doctor said.

He has been in Intensive Care since Saturday night.

One of my husband's sisters flew in on Sunday afternoon. She has been visiting and helping his mom, which is great. It does seem that his dad is slowly gaining more strength, although he is still in Intensive Care.

In the meantime, I am thinking about Good Friday, and preaching about Jesus' crucifixion. The story overwhelms, with its terror and suffering, with blood and death. Where to focus to find our savior's love, to find a piece of hope to lift up to the light and share?

In the meantime, life overwhelms too. Sometimes I open my mouth and no sound comes out, but O Sacred Head, Now Wounded With Grief and Shame Weighed Down, and there is the little piece of hope to lift up to the light and share.