A Glorious Dark by A. J. Swoboda

It's almost Easter. It is the most Holy time of the year. It is the day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Some people call it Resurrection Sunday. However, according to A. J. Swoboda, Friday and Saturday are just as important. So, there is Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday. Good Friday and Saturday typify a time of  heavy darkness: On Friday, Jesus is crucified. On Saturday, there is deadly silence. In A Glorious Dark, the author beams his light on to darkness proving that in darkness there is hope, and in darkness there is  change. In our darkest periods, is the light at the end of our tomb. In our dark times, there is no reason to give up.

There is no shame in having a Messiah whom some people might think of as a Fallen hero because He laid in a dark grave. There are also answers in our most silent periods. Those lonely times can lead us into our community. The strength of  the book A Glorious Dark by A.J. Swoboda is that the author is able to take the full Holy period, with its dark days, and make those days sing with personal commitment and hope. A. J. Swoboda does bridge the wide gap of darkness and light. This is the time of seed growth, light after darkness.

A. J. Swoboda's thoughts about Communion gave me pause. Yes, Communion is a way for a community to enter into relationship with God during, after and before Holy Week. Communion is indeed a celebration of Divine love. The broken are accepted. Those living in a perplexed dark are accepted. Nonetheless, my mind pondered this question. Who should or should not take part in such a Holy ceremony? Are there boundaries to be observed within the community? If we choose, all of us are able to receive the gift of a risen Savior on the third day, Easter. Perhaps, therein lies the answers to the ritual of Communion.
http://ajswoboda.com/





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