Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion University City

The Rev. Marc Smith preaches at the Easter Vigil.

What is necessary is that Christians face the cross. The crucifixion happened. Still I hope these themes: substitution, liberation, and forgiveness can offer us a glimpse of hope.

The Rev. Beth Scriven asks "How do you stop the inevitable?" as we begin the holiest days in the live of the church.

The way of Jesus is not a way that requires grasping. Following the Christ means making a spectacle of yourself, being humble. Even knowing what is ahead we shout “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The Rev. Marc Smith encounters grief and loss with Jesus at Lazarus' tomb.

If we are to approach one another with a little more grace, the process is likely to be messy, like mud from spit and dirt.

The Rev. Hope Jernagen, executive director of Magdalene St. Louis preaches at Holy Communion and asks us to approach one another with compassion rather than judgement.

My prayer this Lent is that each of us, like Nicodemus, can know Jesus’ challenging welcome.

This is the first Sunday of Lent, the beginning of a long journey with Jesus. I wonder, could this Lent be an invitation? Could we ask: “Where is your wilderness?” Where can you go to be vulnerable? Where will you face your demons?

Lent is simple, deceptively simple. Lent is about accepting our limits. Lent is about giving up what makes us sad. Faith is about falling in love, and following Jesus.