Today, Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance, is a day that must be remembered.
– We must remember the horrors that happened when good people did not believe what was happening.
– We must remember the hatred and lust for power which resulted in intimidation, intolerance, corruption, horrifying violence against Jews, Roma (gypsies), homosexuals, political activists, the disabled (physically and mentally).
Exact numbers of those who died in concentration camps in the Holocaust are unknown, but it is estimated that six million Jews, 15,000 homosexuals, unknown political prisoners, the disabled, and about 1.5 million out of an estimated 2 million Gypsies (Roma) were murdered in the Gypsy Holocaust -(Porajmos). Records of one concentration camp (Auschwitz) show unbelievable facts: 1.1 million died … 960,000 Jews (865,000 of whom were gassed on arrival), 74,000 non-Jewish Poles, 21,000 Roma, 15,000 prisoners of war, and up to 15,000 other Europeans.
Many try to forget the reality of what happened in Europe to these people, including clergy who also died while doing their best to support and protect the vulnerable. Many denied the reality of the Holocaust then. Many deny the reality of the Holocaust now.
But we must remember the words of Martin Niemöller “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”
What gave rise to the Holocaust then – anger, hatred, fear – is happening now. And it is growing.
If Niemöller’s words are not taken seriously … if history is not remembered … if action is not taken … if people do not speak up there will be no one left to speak. Democracy will no longer be the reality.
WE MUST REMEMBER Remember that “It didn’t start with gas chambers. It started with politicians dividing the people with ‘us vs them’. It started with intolerance and hate speech, and when people stopped caring, became desensitized and turned a blind eye.” <Auschwitz Memorial>
WE MUST REMEMBER and become educated about the atrocities of the past … educate today’s children so they know the truth. We must do our part in speaking up and speaking out.
WE MUST REMEMBER. Not to remember will have dire consequences.
It’s April 22nd – Earth Day – a global annual event celebrated in more than 190 countries to show support for the environment.
Words by Thich Nhat Hanh are poignant and critical for us all to remember: “The earth is not just our environment. We are the earth and the earth is us.” Earth and human beings are inter-related.
We can not … we must not … ignore the cry from the earth, the cry of the birds and the bees and the shrubs and the vegetables and the animals and the children and …
For this planet earth to survive, we must care for Mother Earth. We must consciously work towards making Planet Earth sustainable for generations to come.
As the wee bird in my neighbour’s magnolia tree says “Please save this earth for you – for me – for us all.”
How are you marking Earth Day?
Maybe releasing Mason Bees to “go forth and pollinate”?
Finally we have come to the end of Lent, the end of Holy Week. It is Easter! “Alleluia! Christ is risen.” “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”
Huh? What? He is risen? The Resurrection was real?
Proof! We want proof that is tangible, reliable, trustworthy. We NEED proof!
These are scary times. Children are frightened there may be a shooter at their school, there may not be enough water or air or land to live on if climate change isn’t dealt with quickly and soon. Youth and adults are terrified that the democracy they take for granted is being eroded and may soon be gone. And then what?
One little girl had the proof we all want! And she not only told her friend, but stuck out her tongue at the other little girl to emphasize her proof, as she exclaimed “So there! I told you so! I was right! My mother said that the earth is round and if she said it’s round, then that proves it!”
Ahhh, if only proof were that simple. But then again, maybe it is! Maybe the proof of Easter is that it is here … all around us. Not in the physical resurrection appearance of Jesus, but in the hands and feet of Jesus’ followers today.
If we want proof of the Resurrection, maybe we simply need to look around – look around our community, religious group, neighbourhood, local community centre/library/school. TV personality Mr. Rogers said his mother helped him respond to scary news when he was a child, by telling him, “Look for the helpers.”
The proof we want and need is in the selfless action of those who staff the pharmacies, grocery stores, hardware stores, gas stations, car repair shops – in the daily routine done by garbage collectors, street cleaners, ferry workers, truck drivers – in the dedication of educators, health care workers, first responders, physicians, funeral attendants, nursing home workers, journalists, librarians – it’s in all professions and trades.
The proof is in the kindness of volunteers … picking up groceries for the elderly, self-isolating and immuno-compromised, cutting flowers from their garden and taking a bunch to a neighbour recovering from surgery, illness, who is grieving … putting together meals for the homeless, for the shut-ins, lunches for school children, Food Banks … tutoring new immigrants in the English language … sitting on community, school, church committees … mowing lawns and doing some handywork for those less-abled and/or elderly … standing up/speaking out for justice by picketing, peaceful participation in rallies, writing politicians.
Christ is risen in you. Christ is risen in me. Christ IS risen! “He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!”
We’re almost at Easter! The end of a difficult week is in sight for countless people around the world who are observing Holy Week. But, we’re not at Easter yet … we’re not at the end of Holy Week.
This day, known as Holy Saturday, is one last nudge – one final reminder – of the fragility of the human being. And this night, Holy Saturday, in the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, hope and possibility are ignited.
Holy Saturday might be likened to a “Morning-After” situation. The “Morning-After” when the worst thing that could possibly have happened, happened – such as … ~ when you received the devastating medical diagnosis ~ when you were fired ~ when you realized that a brutal war was happening – when you discovered yourself on a ‘deportation list’ ~ when your spouse confessed to cheating ~ when you were at a great party, woke up with a doozy of a headache learned that you had driven your car the previous night, and had injured or killed someone ~ when your beloved spouse, child, parent, friend, pet died and you realize it actually happened and was not just a bad dream ~ when you discovered fire, a tornado, hurricane, or war had ravaged your home and there was nothing left – no photo, no computer, no important documents, no clothes, no furniture, nothing ~ when you discovered your dreams about a special job or school or retirement were shattered.
We likely all have a story we can relate to when we were ‘beyond-beyond’ comprehension. And if we can’t think of anything, the threat of chemical/nuclear, cyber war, the everpresent threat of climate change is our ‘Morning-After,’ and it’s difficult to see very far into the future. Our Holy Saturday morning experience could be described as being similar to that of the disciples when they couldn’t see beyond the tomb of Jesus … when they couldn’t see beyond the reality of His crucifixion and death.
The Holy Saturday of long ago, the Holy Saturday of today, have similarities – between tonight’s Holy Saturday sunset and tomorrow’s Easter Sunday sunrise, we wait. We keep vigil. We observe the Liturgy of the Great Vigil of Easter which begins in darkness, then a fire is lit and is symbolically brought into the sanctuary/home by a candle.
As the service of prayerful watching continues, Scripture is read, prayers are offered, the Exsultet is sung, holy Baptism or the Renewal of Baptismal vows happens, and the first celebration of Holy Communion begins the glorious Season of Easter … with light throughout the room/sanctuary along with joyful music, colourful flowers, great smiles and the exuberant shouting of “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” by all who are present. A sense of unbridled joy fills hearts as the wilderness of Lent, the Cross, the empty tomb move us from death to life.
But in these days, when images of death fill the airwaves and people are still deeply concerned about a future without democracy, a future of unknown consequences – or our reality is a present when we can’t be with others to share the good news that “Christ is risen,” what then?
We could do what we did at 7:00 pm each night at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. We could sing out loud in our homes, our streets. We could bang our pots and pans. We could joyfully proclaim that the Great Vigil of Easter is over!
We are not alone. Hope is alive. Easter is here! “Alleluia! Christ is Risen. He is risen, indeed!Alleluia!“
When you woke up this morning, did you say “TGIF – Thank God it’s Friday!” as many have done over the years on Fridays as they were looking forward to the weekend?
This Friday isn’t just “any” Friday. It’s different. It’s Friday in Holy Week. A Friday that many refer to as Good Friday. But what can be “good” about a day when Jesus the man, raw from the lashes of a whip, was laid out, arms stretched and bound with ropes to the rough surface of a wooden cross beam, wrists pierced with sharp spikes, feet nailed on a wooden beam, his exhausted body craving release from his suffering, his spirit grieving by the rejection and betrayal of others?
It would be a lot easier to forget the relevance of this day in general, and also in light of what is happening because of political upheavals and many would say that there’s little or nothing “good” about this day.
Other parts of the world have different words for this day – some Germans refer to today as ‘karfreitag,’ (the ‘kar’ being an obsolete ancestor of ‘mourning’) … elsewhere, some parts of the world call today “Mourning Friday,” putting attention on the disciples who grieved and mourned. And then there are those who follow the belief that this day was originally called “God Friday,” hypothesizing that today is “good” because Jesus was demonstrating his love for humanity by offering his life.
But if that is so, why die in such a brutal manner? Why die so young? Why take on the sinfulness of all humanity on a deathbed after a fruitful life of showing and teaching people the way to God?
Maybe there is yet another way to understand today’s reference to “good.”
In early modern English, the meaning of ‘good’ had the sense of ‘holy.’ So perhaps the ‘good” is an archaic form of holy. But we actually don’t know the answer. It’s all conjecture.
Good Friday is unresolved. It’s a tragic and terrible day. War, threat of the loss of democracy and personal crises make today even more terrible and tragic.
But, regardless of what we call this day, it is a day when we face reality head-on … when we are fully conscious that the Christian walk is seldom easy and at the same time, are aware of Grace in God’s unconditional love.
Titus Brandsma was a university President in the Netherlands during WW11. Arrested by the Nazis, placed in a concentration camp, isolated in an old dog kennel, tortured daily, his guards amused themselves by ordering him to bark like a dog when they passed by him. Eventually Titus died from the torture. What the Nazis didn’t know was that Brandsma kept a diary during that time, writing between the lines of print in an old prayerbook. It was there that his poem to Jesus was found: “The lovely way that you once walked has made me sorrow-wise. Your love has turned to brightest light this night-like way of mine. Stay with me Jesus, only stay. I shall not fear if, reaching out my hand, I feel that You are near.”
Good Friday is a day when we remind ourselves that in the Christian understanding of hope, nothing, not even death, can overwhelm the love God has for us.
This day is not an ending. It is a day of a new beginning. It is a holy day. TGIF. Thank God It’s Friday.
We’ve come to Wednesday. Not an easy week any year, but this year even more difficult for many Christians who are reflecting both on the this week known as Holy Week, and the political climate of the world with its serpentine growth of fascism around the world – and even in their own country.
Some Christians are even asking ‘Where is God?’ and beginning to question the reality of Jesus, God, the Creator, Holy Presence, Holy One.
May this story (by an unknown author – which I’ve adapted), be a reminder that whether we experience it or not, God is “checking in.”
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A minister passing through the old church at noon, noticed a man coming down the aisle. The man hadn’t shaved in a while; his shirt was torn and shabby; his coat was worn and frayed. He knelt, bowed his head, then rose and silently walked away. In the days that followed, the minister noticed this man kneeling, just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. The minister’s curiosity grew. He introduced himself and then asked “What are you doing here?”
The old man said he was a factory worker. As his lunch-time break was his prayer time for finding strength and power but was only half an hour. “I stay only a moment because the factory’s far away. As I kneel here talking to God, this is kinda what I say: “I just came by to tell you, God, how happy I have been since we found each other’s friendship. I don’t know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is Ben, just checking in today.”
The minister told Ben that he was welcome to pray there any time. As Ben hurried to the door, the minister knelt at the altar. His heart was warmed with love, and tears flowed down his cheeks, and the minister repeated old Ben’s prayer: “I just came by to tell you, God, how happy I have been since we found each other’s friendship. I don’t know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is just me, just checking in today.”
One day, the minister noticed that Ben hadn’t come to the church in several days. As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry. The minister asked about Ben at the factory and learned that he was ill and in hospital. He also learned that the week Ben was in hospital, ‘something’ had changed in the ward … Ben’s smiles and joy were contagious.
The head nurse couldn’t understand why Ben could be so happy, when no flowers, calls or cards came (not even one visitor)m until the minister appeared and voiced the nurse’s concern to Ben.
Looking surprised, Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile said “The nurse is wrong. She couldn’t know, He’s been here all the while and every day at noon, sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: ‘I just came by to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been since we found this friendship. I think about you always, and I love to hear you pray. And so Ben, this is Jesus, just checking in today.’
On this Wednesday of Holy Week, may we believe that Jesus is “checking in” – giving strength and encouragement. May we all have a “Ben-Faith”: a faith that is simple and profound, a faith that is trusting and hope-filled, a faith that is filled with joy and gratitude for unconditional love and because ,each day, the Creator is “just checking in” – whether or not we believe.
EVIL, That word has been ascribed to people over the centuries: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Vlad the Impaler, Pol Pot, Heinrich Himmler, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Ivan the Terrible, and more – including lately to DJT and his minions. And that same word has been ascribed to events: concentration camps; residential schools; torture; migration detention centres, even linked to social media posts.
Where is the hope in all of the continuing evil happening in Ukraine, San Salvador, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Somalia, Myanmar, Israel, Columbia, the United States?
Where is the hope in the injustice, suffering, poverty, ruthlessness, vengeful actions of people with power?
This week, known as Holy Week, Christians are reflecting on the “Where is the hope? Where is God” questions with deep intentionality.
Even in the face of terrible suffering, betrayals, there is a message of hope … through perseverance, truth, and faithfulness … that grace is greater than our brokenness …that God’s love remains the anchor even when faith wavers.
Like many, I struggle with that message in the face of such hate, cruelty, and yes, at moments, hopelessness.And yet, in the midst of it all, there are people carrying the torch of hope by “showing up, speaking out, speaking up, voting for democracy and against fascism” even at great personal risk and cost.So when my faith wavers, I pray that I will be of good courage when I fear, have faith when I falter, be able to walk through the shadow, have patience that good will overcome evil, love will prevail over hate and hope will reside deep within us all.
But, even though I choose to believe in goodness … try to speak honestly with love undergirding my words … try to listen to the heart in words that spit anger / hatred / evil and see beneath the anguish of poverty, hunger, fear, suffering of any kind … try to see the soul of the people in pain rather than their race, religion, sexuality, financial state, country of origin, and (lately this has been an increasingly difficult thing to do) their political beliefs, I am not a pollyanna. And some days, even being a person with a high theology of hope, is difficult.
And then I remember that a world without hope is the beginning of the end of a constructive society. So, we have to support one another, pray for one another, talk with one another, be there for one another. Today, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, (a Maryland resident with U.S. protected status since 2019 was erroneously deported on March 15, 2025, despite a court prohibition on his deportation to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center), quietly and courageously spoke about the need to “be there for one another.” In spite of her husband’s horrific situation, she has hope.
There must be hope. Even though the pain is real and the future is uncertain, we must hold on … to the promise of hope … to the possibility of hope …in spite of DJT … in spite of his minions … in spite of Putin … in spite of despots, fascists, wanna-be dictators …in spite of the fear.
Hope is action … in small ways, quiet ways, large ways, noisy ways, visible ways, unseen ways.Hope isn’t a passive act, or simply a reactive or frivolous act. Hope underlies our action and is our connection to continuity as a human species. May hope break through the evil that is happening in political decisions, television, tweets, conversations.SOON.
Today is a special Monday – it’s Monday in Holy Week. Many are feeling alone. Alone – because of the stresses of the world. Alone because of the political crises in the United States, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the threats on Canada, Panama, Greenland and many other places around the world Alone and fearful because of concern about their health, finances, jobs, relationships. Alone – with their thoughts. Alone – with their questions. Alone.
If anyone understands what ‘being alone’ means, especially this week, it surely must have been the man known as Jesus of Nazareth.
Many believe that they are living in a world under the shadow of war … a cloud of difficult days of climate change … loss of democracy … viruses that just won’t leave.
It’s all a frightening reality. The man Jesus, knew about frightening realities.
May this holy week be a time to reflect on what ‘being alone’ is for ourselves, for others and what it must have been like for the man known as Jesus.
May we know who we are. May we know Whose we are. And may we know the Love that surrounds us.
May we be blessed with an abiding sense of love – a Love that envelopes and casts out fear of the known and unknown.
May this day and every day in Holy Week, bring a blessing that touches life in ways we can’t even begin to ask or understand.
May we be blessed by the ability to breathe in Ruach, healing, sanctifying, renewing, be blessed by a precious peace that passes understanding and be blessed by the Love that sustained the man Jesus on this difficult day in Holy Week.
The flower pins, made for friends as a sign and symbol of Love, were made using pieces of white felt and small pearl-like additions in the middle of the flower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Soulistry reflection on each day in Holy Week will be available on the Soulistry blog (https://soulistry.com/blog). You are welcome to share any Soulistry reflection and subscribe (https://soulistry.com). As reflections are added, they will come into your inbox (for free, personal information is not retained or sold). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weaving is not something I have done very often, but a weaving metaphor seems appropriate when political strands are divided … families are broken … countries are shattering from within … the world seems to be moving away from democratic principles … and people are not reflecting the ideals of peace and love which religious and philosophical leaders have taught and modelled for centuries.
People need a vision – a vision of hope for “where there is no vision, the people perish.”
The Weaving Prayer surfaced on this the eve of Holy Week (the final week of the Season of Lent in the Christian calendar which commemorates the final days of Jesus’ life, leading to his crucifixion and resurrection), known as Palm Sunday. The prayer is for them and for those who may not align with the Christian faith yet also need a vision of hope.
WEAVING PRAYER Weave, O Holy One, our differing threads of opinions, our global fear, our various political strands, our diverse liturgical expressions, our different ways of looking at the world into a sacred tapestry so that we will be empowered to hope and vision a world where Love, not fear, not ego, not pursuit of power, not idolization of money is the centre of decisions, thoughts, actions and conversations.
Great Weaver of all, when we find ourselves regretting the past, when we are uncertain of the present, when we are fearful of the future, help us. May this coming week (Holy Week) be one of hope, not panic. May it be one of gentle reflection, not listening to the fear mongers. And may it be a week of inner response, not reaction which clouds our vision of hope.
O Great Weaver, encourage us not to focus on the underside of the Tapestry where our knottedness, frayed ends, and tattered threads can be seen. but where we may envision the entire Tapestry of community: a tapestry of differing colours, customs, abilities, religions, languages, and ages, as we work together during these difficult days towards a vision of love, peace, respect and kindness. Amen. So be it. Amen.
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Tomorrow night, Saturday, a question will be asked by the youngest child present at dinner: “Why is this night different from other nights?”
The child asks the same question that has been asked for centuries by Jewish people in times of despair, in times of joy, in times of knowing, in times of unknowing. Tomorrow night is very special for adherents of the Jewish faith as it is when the celebration of Passover begins. And it begins with a Seder – a special meal – with various rituals like the question: “Why is this night different from other nights?” “Ma nishtanah ha-laylah ha-ze mi kol ha-leylot?”
The same child asks the Four Questions which emerge from that first question. Then each of the answers to those questions explains why things are done differently that night: * Why is there no leavened bread, only matzoh (unleavened flatbread)? * Why are only bitter herbs eaten this night? * Why are the vegetables dipped twice, not once, in salt water? * Why is eating done, reclining on one elbow?
Each year on Passover, the same answers come. * Matzoh – because there was no time for the dough to rise * Bitter herbs – as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery * Vegetables dipped in twice – as a reminder of tears shed * Eating while reclining on one elbow – to symbolize freedom.
While I am not of the Jewish faith, I have often been intrigued by this tradition and wondered if Passover can offer lessons to people of other faiths – to those of no particular religious faith. And, if so, what could those lessons be?” And over time, some answers began to emerge.
First – we can learn to ask questions.
I love the tradition of having a child begin the Passover Seder with a question. Children love to ask questions (oh wow, do they ever!), but as we grow older, many stop asking questions and take what others believe to be their truth. Not asking questions has sometimes led to broken relationships, illness, political uncertainty and war. Why don’t we ask more questions? Curiosity is a wonderful attribute!
When I had questions of the teachers at the church my family attended, I heard the same response, over and over again: “All answers are in our books. Look – the answers are there.” I did look, over and over, but I didn’t see answers. What I saw, was more questions. But every time I had a question, the response was the same – year after year, after year.
When I was fifteen, I spoke with my parents, telling them that I wanted to leave that church. “Why?” they asked. I told them that not only wasn’t I finding the answers I was seeking in the two books that undergirded that faith, I was not being allowed to question – at all.
My parents told me in later years that when they heard me say that I believed I had been given a brain to use, and that because I wasn’t allowed to question anything in the church beyond what was in one of the two official books, I was refusing a gift (my intellect) and I couldn’t believe God wanted me to refuse that gift but use it and ask questions and more questions, after talking it over, they agreed, and I was given permission to leave that church – and religion. Even though my mother continued as a leader in that church for many years afterward, neither she nor my father expected me to be part of it. How blessed I was to have them both as parents – parents who invited conversation — who let me “think for myself.”
I have never stopped asking questions. I hope I never will. My sense of curiosity and of asking questions has led me on an exciting – and challenging – journey. I ask questions about religion, history, the Bible, politics, God, the environment, the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the situation in the United States, and now here in Canada as well as in Panama and Greenland.
And, I ask questions of myself. I ask questions to political leaders, religious leaders, social media journalists. Sometimes I get answers. Sometimes my questions lead me to more questions. And sometimes, my questions lead me to answers. But without the questions …
So, I love the Passover tradition of having a child ask the question.
Second – we can learn to face life’s challenges.
The Christian Season of Lent and the Jewish observance of Passover speak of people long ago who faced challenges. As difficult as they were then, those challenges were profound teachers.
Today, each of us faces challenges in our lives. As difficult as they are for us, they too can be profound teachers. Facing challenge is not always easy, but it can be a profound way to learn about life, ourselves, God, this world where we live.
Third – we can learn to take action.
The Israelites left Egypt in such haste that they could not wait for their bread dough to rise, so they took action with the dough they had, and created unleavened bread – the matzoh – which sustained them. Action! The life and story of Jesus in Christian belief, is a motivator of action of a literal understanding of ‘love of neighbour’ by those who followed the man Jesus. That story continues to motivate people today into ‘love of neighbour’ … in advocacy, action and justice-seeking.
Fourth – we can learn to share.
Whether it’s food for the body with a meal – or food for the soul with wisdom – the story of a wide table open to all at a Passover Seder … and for those who follow the story of Jesus – the sharing of loaves and fishes … can be gentle reminders of the importance of sharing what we have with others.
Fifth – we can learn to be grateful.
Many religious teachings undergird the importance of having an attitude of gratitude and not take our precious life for granted. May we be willing to learn from other religions and other peoples.
To those who follow the path of Judaism, may the miracle of Passover live in your hearts forever. Chag Pesach Sameach!
