Endings and beginnings, all in there together. "In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity,...in our death, a resurrection,...unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."*

That Thursday, the disciples sat with Jesus around the table, having their feet washed, hearing his strange words with the bread and the cup, but still not realizing that an ending was very near. When it came, most of them weren't there because in fear they had run away. Afterwards, they sat in the room together in sorrow and fear, not realizing that a beginning was taking place.

Fear is what often keeps us from fully experiencing the holiness of our endings and our beginnings. My brother-in-law Alan, in facing his time with open eyes and heart, is a witness to trusting in the One who is our home now and beyond now.

During these three holiest of days, our endings and our beginnings are so close together. Somehow, may we go beyond the fear of the ending and step forward in trust that the beginning is with the One who loves us beyond all measure.

*Hymn of Promise, by Natalie Sleeth, 1986.

Philippians 2:5-7  

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness

[NRSV]