Holy Week with Holding Onto Hope - Maundy Thursday
For Holy Week 2024 we have selected reflections and artwork from Holding Onto Hope by father and daughter duo, Amy Boucher-Pye and Leo Boucher.
Holding Onto Hope is a 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through vivid biblical images and can be used through Lent or during any 40-day period.
Michael was 24 when he took a blood oath to join his family of crime, the red drops from his finger landing on a picture of a saint, which was then set alight. He heard: ‘You are born again into a new life, Cosa Nostra. Violate what you know about this life, betray your brothers, and you will die and burn in hell like the saint is burning in your hands. Do you accept?’ He did.
He rose to prominence, making money, partying and evading the authorities, until he landed in prison. There he met God, and his life changed completely as he read the Bible and got to know Jesus. He realised that he had to renounce his illegal activities publicly, even though the risk to his life would be high. Soon there were several contracts out for his life, one that his own father signed. They wanted good on his blood covenant.
As believers in Jesus, our lives have also been paid for in blood – that of God’s own Son. Jesus promised his friends that he was ushering in a new covenant when they celebrated the Passover meal. He took bread, broke it, gave thanks and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘“Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”’ (Matthew 26:26–28).
We might shy away from talking about blood sacrifices, thinking them too gory or off-putting. But someone has to pay for the violence, betrayals and wrongdoing we witness and experience. Jesus has filled this need, and no longer are we held accountable.
The contracts on Michael’s life have never been fulfilled. Like Michael, when we believe in Jesus we too can enjoy God’s freedom, which gives us joy and contentment.
Holding Onto Hope is a 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through vivid biblical images and can be used through Lent or during any 40-day period.
Sign of the covenant
Michael was 24 when he took a blood oath to join his family of crime, the red drops from his finger landing on a picture of a saint, which was then set alight. He heard: ‘You are born again into a new life, Cosa Nostra. Violate what you know about this life, betray your brothers, and you will die and burn in hell like the saint is burning in your hands. Do you accept?’ He did.
He rose to prominence, making money, partying and evading the authorities, until he landed in prison. There he met God, and his life changed completely as he read the Bible and got to know Jesus. He realised that he had to renounce his illegal activities publicly, even though the risk to his life would be high. Soon there were several contracts out for his life, one that his own father signed. They wanted good on his blood covenant.
As believers in Jesus, our lives have also been paid for in blood – that of God’s own Son. Jesus promised his friends that he was ushering in a new covenant when they celebrated the Passover meal. He took bread, broke it, gave thanks and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘“Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”’ (Matthew 26:26–28).
We might shy away from talking about blood sacrifices, thinking them too gory or off-putting. But someone has to pay for the violence, betrayals and wrongdoing we witness and experience. Jesus has filled this need, and no longer are we held accountable.
The contracts on Michael’s life have never been fulfilled. Like Michael, when we believe in Jesus we too can enjoy God’s freedom, which gives us joy and contentment.
God of the new covenant, you give me life. Fill me with gratitude
for this great gift of freedom, that I might share your love and
hope with others. Amen.
