What is it like for a mother to lose a son?

I will never know.

Sometimes I think I understand but I never really will, how could I?

On this day a couple of thousand years ago, on Good Friday, the Bible says Mary watched her son die.

I am sure Mary relived the events of that day and of that week, every day for the rest of her life.

Now, each year many of us relive the events of that week and the nightmare of that Friday for a mother named Mary,  the mother of Jesus.

On Palm Sunday this past week, for the first time ever, I was the Liturgist for one of our services at church.

“I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me” I read from John 14 verse six.

I don’t know why, maybe just because I was asked to stand up and share this particular scripture, I found myself more immersed in this story than ever before.

I read more.

And later on in that same chapter, though not part of my reading as the Liturgist, starting with verse 15 Jesus explains to his disciples:

“If you love me you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth.”

And starting with verse 26:

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Many years later and almost fourteen years ago, our Friday was a little different than Mary’s, but in the end, just as dark.

It started out like any other Friday with work and the TGIF attitude that goes along with having tickets to see Clint Black at Wolf Trap that evening and looking forward to the weekend ahead.  Those tickets never got used.

The news that Donny had passed away as a result of the injuries from his four wheeler accident came while driving via my cell phone with a call from Kim.

The physical pain that started in my abdomen and extended into my groin lifted me out of my seat and caused me to shake as I passed through the toll booth and headed for home.

Kim also got that news on her cell phone.  As unimaginable, devastating, and life changing as that phone call was, unlike the pain I experienced, she on the other hand would describe those moments after very differently.

She would say later that she felt “lifted up.”

Held.

And with amazement, we all watched as she exhibited the strength that carried not only her but many of the rest of us through the days, weeks, months, and now years that followed.

That my friends, was and is the Holy Spirit.

And though the memories of that Friday for us are relived every day, as you can see, that promise worked just like it was supposed to.

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Thank God, It’s Good Friday

TGIGF