As we enter Holy Week, many churches were filled with shouts of Hosanna! and people waved palm branches. Some churches also read the passion story of Jesus before Pilot. And while some churches will observe Holy Week and hold services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to remember the upper room and washing of feet as well as the crucifixion and the denial of Peter, some will not. Some churches will celebrate the Great Vigil of Easter and tell the stories of salvation as they wait for Easter to arrive. It is a reminder that not everything in the story of Holy Week is a celebratory moment, but that we must go through all the emotions of the week to arrive at Hallelujah!

Support the show

In her book "The Soul's Slow Ripening" Christine Valters Paintner talks about the practice of Three Essential Things. Finding those values that speak to who we are called to be in a particular season of life. Those things may change as we move from season to season or period of time in our life. What is essential for us in our 20's may change in our 60's and it is ours to seek what is essential that we may seek to live out the soul's deepest calling.

Support the show

Do you remember memorizing things when you were growing up? Poems, Bible verses, songs? There is a difference when we memorize things and when we learn them by heart. To learn something by heart, we let it become a part of who we are, we know it deeply and it shapes how we respond in the world What are verses, phrases, or stories that you know by heart? How does that help in your daily life?

Support the show