Jesus’ invitation in those early days was simple and plain. “Follow me,” he said. 

At one point, multiplied thousands gathered to hear him speak, to see him heal, to eat miracle bread. 

Here at the end, all who were left were the women from Galilee.

That hill appeared God-forsaken. 

The cemetery was silent.

The women laid their work aside as daylight withered away.

It was night. 

There was evening, and there was a morning. 

There in silent stillness lay
The One who created night and day
There in a tomb unfinished
Rested His body diminished

Bread and wine
Timbers and nails
Laughter and scorn
Sobbing and wails

Night lasts forever
Day drags to its end 
Will anything ever
Be good again?

—

I will ponder all that was lost.

—

Our Father, it didn’t have to be this way. When invited, you did not go away. When forsaken, you did not forsake us. When only those who followed from afar remained, you sought us still and promised a brand new day. Amen.