Scripture: Matthew 28: 1-16; Romans 8:35-37

Where was God on September 11, 2001? This God-question has been asked again and again in the killing fields of the world, across the centuries. This was what a small group of women were also wondering at the foot of the cross where Jesus was crucified.

Elie Wiesel recalls a similar incident from the Holocaust. He tells the story of a young boy in one of the death camps. The narrator asks,"Where is God now?" The narrator heard a voice within him saying, "Where is He? Here He is-HE is hanging here on this gallows..." (Night Elie Wiesel. Bantam, NY, 1960, p. 62).

God has been with the victims throughout history. The Holy Communion is a reminder of the "night in which Jesus was betrayed." It is also the reminder to the faith community of other nights of betrayal.

Yet it is also a reminder of hope and celebration. The God in Christ who mandates us to remember the night of Christ's betrayal and his death also invites us to celebrate the life that springs from the ashes. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed!

"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...No in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-37, 39.

We are a shaken people. But moving on to our task of being a shalom community!

REFLECTION:

(1) Reflect on your own experiences of betrayal. If you are in a safe group, share your experiences. Be prepared to support each other in this deep sharing, or make it an individual exercise.

(2) What are the ways that we can remind people that God is with us in the midst of this difficulty?

(3) Practice the ministry of visitation and presence. Visit those who are struggling. Gently sit with those who suffer sharing words like "I am here to keep you company, and how can I help?"

PRAYER:

Jesus, we imagine ourselves leaning on your shoulder as a beloved disciple rather than as one who would betray you. We offer ourselves as open beings to serve "the least of these" as if it were you walking among us again. Deliver us from betraying you. Deliver us into the graciousness of love in action. Amen!