Tenebrae

Last night about fifty inmates gathered with us in the chapel at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. As we were planning the service, Lynn and I wondered if we really wanted to offer this service of darkness. After all, it is very dark in prison. As I began to read more about the traditional service I realized you cannot truly appeciate the light of Sunday without the darkness of Thursday and Friday. And so it was.

Lynn led an amazing service of communion, and at one point she said she was going out on a limb and asked if anyone would like to offer a song. A young lady stood with some uncertainty, but soon it was obvious that a strength beyond herself flowed through her mouth, and the room was filled with the beautiful song of thankgiving. Holy ground.

As I looked into the eyes of each of those women and repeated those sacred words, "The body of Christ is broken for YOU," I could feel their gratitude. Holy ground.

The lights were dimmed, and one by one, women stepped forward and read a gospel passage, each extinguishing a purple candle. Darkness descended. The reading was completed by one of our faithful volunteers, Hamp, who fought back tears as he read about the death of Jesus and extinguished the Christ candle. His heart-felt words resonated throughout the room and tears fell.

Silently they left the dark room and walked across the dark prison grounds, yet as they lifted their eyes to the night sky, God provided the light of a full moon. Holy ground indeed, even behind the razor wire. Thanks be to God.