Dark Days

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:44-56

Loving Creator you renew us at night

you made the storm clouds to gather

so that the earth, our mother, is renewed

and we your people can wonder at it all.

We complain when the days are too cold

and we complain when the sun burns us

yet you know in the losses are the gains

and in darkness new light is being kindled.

You suffered and died for this broken world

yet we refuse, time and time again, to hear you

we can't hear when you cry out for justice

our whining often silences the healing words.

Help us to rejoice in the gathering clouds

in the challenges of dark days and hard nights

for even in the storms you are in the midst of us

renewing and restoring all of your creation. Amen.