It’s Real.

Around this time of year a little confusion swirls in the heads of my 7 year old daughter and 4 year old son. For them it’s a bit difficult to distinguish between the legend of the Easter Bunny and stories from the Bible.  Now I know there are parents out there that struggle with the question of whether or not to share the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus with their kids, but my perspective is that legends like these build our children’s sense of wonder and imagination.  The difficulty is when they ask really challenging questions like, “does Jesus talk to the Easter Bunny?”  And, “why does Santa get all the attention at Christmas?”  And this quick witted theologian answers with a profound, “well honey....”  The truth is kids are not the only ones asking these questions.  Many people want to know, “is it real?” And “it” meaning all of it: Jesus’ birth, his riding on a donkey into the city of Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the cross, and certainly the Resurrection.  But unlike the legends of Santa and the Easter Bunny, more than our childhood is at stake.  This is about our faith, our story, what claims us as the church.  And people are asking us the question, “is it real?”  Our answer: YES!!!  But people need more than a yes, they need to experience it for themselves.  That’s why we do some of the things that we do during Holy Week.  On Maundy Thursday, March 28 we will be experiencing the Living Last Supper at 7pm.  This is not a meal, it’s an opportunity to see what the disciples were like and to hear their story.  It’s the Bible come to life!  And then on Good Friday, March 29, 10am to 7pm I want to encourage you to come to the sanctuary to experience the Stations of the Cross.  This prayer exercise prepares us to be ready for Easter.  And let tell you, it’s one of my 7 year olds favorite things that we do here at Shiloh.  It’s intense, but once again it’s the Bible made real.  Is it real?  Yes, but don’t just take my word for it, come and see yourself.

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel