As we enter a whole new way of observing Holy Week, starting with Holy Thursday, I understand how easy it is for us to focus on the annoyance and residual bitterness of being forced into isolation, holed-up and distant from each other away from the church during the most sacred time of the year. It is easy to become rebellious, defiant, determined, sad and depressed. But there is a voice that says, “Listen!” The voice of the Holy Spirit comes to us and says, “Don’t give into darkness. There’s a new way to observe what Jesus did, what he is doing, what he will do. Jesus is here. He creates and recreates. It doesn’t only have to be the way you know. There’s a new way.” God is calling us to a new beginning even though we think it’s the end. God’s got this! Everyone of us can enter fully into the mystery of salvation more clearly than ever before. I learned many years ago that with God it is possible to face the darkness of life and the human condition and come out on the other side of it better, wiser, healed and renewed. I recall standing in complete darkness, betrayed, defeated, my spirit crushed and my body broken. All that I had known changed. I was confused and afraid and uncertain. I tried desperately to navigate the darkness with my eyes wide open fearing what would happen next. I thought if I could see I could control the darkness, but it was the darkness that controlled me. During the nighttime of my fear when darkness appeared to prevail, when all that I had known changed, Jesus came to me and said, “Steven, just close your eyes to the darkness. You don’t need your eyes in darkness anyway, they are futile. What more do you need to see? You have me. I am here, do not be afraid. Follow me. There is light that is within you. Hold on to the light.” I closed my eyes and I could see everything clearly. No longer futile, I was no longer afraid. There is a light that shines in darkness if we dare to see it with our eyes closed to what the world and everyone around us is doing, the wailing and gnashing of teeth. We have the divine gifts of memory and imagination. We can turn the light on inside and see clearly and walk boldly to the other side even if others won’t walk there with us. Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead, I am going to a new shore.” Distant and apart we can grow even closer to God. It’s time to go to another shore. Close your eyes. Open your hearts. Enter the mystery. God’s got this!