Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
March 22, 2024
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night but find no rest.Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:1-5, 25-28We’ve been following the Gospel of Mark throughout this year, hearing the stories of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and, this week, trials in Jerusalem. At the end of Mark’s version of the Passion narrative, at about the time you will receive this email on Good Friday, the Gospel recounts Jesus’ final words from the cross: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Taken alone, these words encapsulate the desolation of Good Friday. Jesus is alone, mocked, beaten, and tortured nearly to his death. With the last of his strength, he calls out in despair.
But these words were never meant to be heard or read alone. Jesus speaks the first part of the first verse of Psalm 22, inviting those familiar with the scriptures to fill in the rest. Psalm 22 is not a Psalm of lament alone; it ends with the triumph of God over all worldly powers, a triumph that looks like faith and fulfillment for all who are in need. Even to his death, Jesus proclaimed the power of God beyond all human striving. We are called to hold in tension this despair and hope, until the Sun rises on Easter morning.
Peace,
Megan
Past Posts
- From Our Pastors
Amy Clark Feldman
March 14, 2025 We are almost beginning the second week of our Lenten journey, walking in the wilderness together. It is always amazing to me how the liturgical seasons map onto the events and seasons in our world and lives. What wisdom and support we have in these deep traditions of our faith! This year it does indeed feel like Lenten wilderness times – each day with new revelations, challenges, news, and worries. Learn More - From Our Pastors: March 7, 2025Megan Berkowitz
March 7, 2025 It was a gift to pray with so many of you throughout the day on Ash Wednesday and at our ecumenical evening service. I appreciated how thoughtful and open everyone I spoke with was about the intentions they were setting for Lent. Learn More - From Our Pastors: February 14 2025Megan Berkowitz
February 14, 2025 I had the great privilege of visiting the new FamilyAid Family Navigation Center on Washington Street for the first time this week. Speeches were made, a ribbon was cut with many giant scissors, and people from throughout the Commonwealth who care about supporting homeless families gathered to celebrate and network together. The most inspiring part of the day for me, though, was the tour. Learn More - From Our Pastors: February 7, 2025Amy Clark Feldman
February 7, 2025 I’ve been especially grateful this week for our eight-week series on Spiritual Resiliency. Truth-be-told, I’ve had moments of doubting my resiliency in the face of the on-slaught of news this week, with a desire to pull the covers over my head. Learn More - From Our Pastors: January 31, 2025Pastor Megan
January 31, 2025 We’ll read in this Sunday’s scripture passage about conflicts between Jesus and other Jewish religious leaders at the time over the observance of Sabbath restrictions. This, and other similar passages, have given rise to generations of interpretation that sets Jesus against religious authority, against Judaism, and against the Law. Learn More - From Our Pastors: January 24 2025Pastor Megan
January 24, 2025Staying Grounded
Given the tremendous outpouring of news this week, beginning with TikTok and the Presidential inauguration and continuing through executive orders and new wildfires, I have been feeling overwhelmed. I’m working to take it all in a little bit at a time, to stay open and stay grounded. Learn More - From Our Pastors: January 17, 2025Pastor Megan
January 17, 2025Spiritual Resilience
Last Sunday was the first in an 8-week worship series on Spiritual Resilience, where we will together explore how tools from Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects and from Christian scripture and tradition can help us all to foster spiritual resilience through challenging times.
Learn More - MOSAIC
Pastor Amy
January 10, 2025 Last week, nearly 40 youth came from all around Newton and Boston, almost exactly one-third from the Muslim Al-Huda Society in Chelsea; one-third from the Jewish community; and one-third from Christian churches. Learn More
