passion 04-01-2026

Passion. I’m tempted to turn to the fanatic passion of collegiate and pro sports fans to define passion but that diminishes the week we are in, Jesus’ Passion Week. According to Luke immediately after his Palm Sunday entry he Luke 19:45 entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling: passion for God’s house. Mid-week he taught in the Temple courts often barraged with trick questions by opponents: passion for truth. Thursday, in an upper room, he washed his disciple’s feet: passion for humility. In the night sky of Friday morning, through tears, he prayed Luke 22:42  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”: passion for the Father’s will. And Friday afternoon on his cross John 19:30 Jesus said, “It is finished.”: passion for me and you! From the days of the early church Jesus’ followers chose what we know as Good Friday to honor and join Jesus’ passion through sunrise to sunset fasting of food. And that’s my challenge. During Friday’s daylight hours praying Jesus’ prayer, “Father, not my will but yours”, for this world, my community, my church, my family and in surrender, for me. PK