Hi Substack Community,
Good Friday has always been an important holy day for me, but it’s also one I think stands alone on its merits. I’ve rarely-if-ever preached on Good Friday. But every Good Friday, we must remember the story of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and death.
Therefore - especially in a time when the American government is delighting in gleefully sending innocent men to concentration camps in El Salvador - I wanted to share with you a video reading of the Passion text, this year taken from John 18:1-19:42.
If you’ve been with me for a presentation on Christian Nationalism, you’ll likely recognize this text. I always begin my presentations with John 18:33-38, a conversation between Jesus and Pilate. In this conversation Jesus directly rejects the claims of Christian Nationalism, and Pilate attempts to obscure and reject the existence of Truth itself.
As I read this text, I might throw in a few references and asides from the text that speak to our current moment. But mostly - I want the story to speak for itself. Then, we’ll pray at the end.
I hope you get the chance to attend a Good Friday service in your local community tonight. And I hope you too find ways to re-tell this very important story, as we desperately await the grace and promise of Jesus’ resurrection.
Love,
Angela
P.S. …
A Few Notes:
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