Are we there yet?

We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life. – Romans 6:4-5

When I drive somewhere new (especially when the road involves high cliffs and sharp turns) the fear of getting lost or making a wrong turn makes the miles creep along.  “Was that really only ¾ of a mile between those turns? It felt like 5 miles!” or “That seemed like it took a half an hour to go that last 1.3 miles, I can’t believe that was 7 minutes.”

Today this twisting, winding road has led to a dead-end. A tomb. I want to scream, “Are we there yet?” Lent has been a 40-day road trip and perhaps I had the destination wrong all along. Because there is no way this could be it. This can’t be the end. I trusted you Lord. I feel like a fool because today I’ve been led to emptiness and nothingness. Where is the life you promised me?  My pain is angry and loud. My hope is just a small whisper. “Are we there yet?” 

On this day of no Eucharist, the day of entombment, the day of only death, we know it is only a day. No matter how much the Apostles believed Jesus was the Messiah, they had no idea what was in store for them. Every hour creeping along: is it time yet? How much longer? Are we there yet?

Prayer for Holy Week
Elizabeth Jennings
Love me in my willingness to suffer
Love me in the gifts I wish to offer
      Teach me how you love and have to die
                And I will try

Somehow to forget myself and give
Life and joy so dead things start to live.
      Let me show now an untrammeled joy,
              Gold without alloy.