Crucifying dynamics

Listening to St Matthew's account of the events leading up to the death of Jesus, I am struck again at the dynamics so well known and at work up to our day: the opportunism of politicians, the arrogance and cynicism of religious leaders, the hysteric and manipulated masses, a hand full of terrified people who have tasted the truth - and a couple of women sensitive to justice and truth.

There can hardly be enough meditation of this, taking turns in identifying with the disciples, with Jesus, with Pilate, then with Peter, then with the maid, and with Jesus again. The God-forsakenness is to be found in the dynamics and the rolling event in itself.

HOLY WEEK VIGIL AT CREECH AIR FORCE BASE

Over at his Peace Probe blog Gene Stoltzfus talks about how he and others spend holy week at an air force base. Gene ends his posting with this:

Like the chaplains, all of us who claim faith are invited to reach deep into the wealth of our traditions that are built on the ethics of love and discern what our responses can be in this new age of digital warfare. We will be further enabled to do this when our religious support structures - churches, denominations and institutions - also reach deep into the humanizing and peaceful resources of holy tradition. The desert here in Indian Springs, Nevada where native people once came for water to sustain life, is waiting for the transformation inherent in our faith.