Dear Partners in Mission:

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”                     -1 Corinthians 1:18

A blessed Holy Week Tuesday to you all. During this week there are many preparations and much busyness in our congregations. All of which is appropriate and understandable. Parish workers, rostered leaders, musicians, custodians, lay volunteers, copiers, etc… are being tested as we prepare for the Triduum (the great three days).

In the midst of this busyness however it is vital we take time to reflect. To worship, pray, and meditate on the wonder of what God is doing for us in Jesus Christ on the cross. The cross, an instrument of imperial power. The cross, meant to maintain the Pax Romana by instilling fear in any who would object. The cross, meant to create shame in those, and their families, subjected to its torture.  The cross, the foolishness of God.

God’s foolishness is shown in the cross because in Jesus’ time and ours, god’s don’t die. The gods of the Greeks and Romans and of America today don’t suffer. They are glorified in their financial wealth, privilege of status, and political power. They are not trustworthy because we know they are only in it for themselves. But our God is not that. Our God chooses to suffer, to experience our pain and loss, and our death. That is a God you can trust. A God who knows you fully and whose foolishness is the power that saves us.

My prayers are with you all this week as you experience again this wonder and power of our God.

Together in Mission,

Bishop Gronberg