One of my favorite Holy Week traditions in recent years has been seeing the beautiful alfombras at Ascension Lutheran Church in Waukesha. The creation of alfombras (Spanish for carpet or rug) is an ancient tradition in many Central American countries, including El Salvador, during Holy Week. Made with colored sawdust and rock salt and other natural items, they adorn the streets of various neighborhoods in preparation for the annual Good Friday procession, creating a beautiful carpet for Jesus to walk on, honoring the beauty of his sacrifice on the cross.
At Ascension, where there is a growing community of worshippers from Mexico and Central America, they create a number of alfombras on sheets of plywood during Lent, and worshippers walk upon them as they enter the chapel for Good Friday worship. This year, I was able to participate in the creation of the alfombra that will be used for Easter Sunday worship, along with members of the El Salvador partnership committee. This tradition is simple and beautiful and bittersweet, recognizing that these colorful creations will soon be destroyed.
In this time of significant change and uncertainty, when fear and conflict seems so prevalent, I often want to cling tightly to those things that bring beauty and joy to my life, but I can’t. Everything in this life is impermanent, and I am learning that the only thing I can count on lasting is the new life and love that comes from Christ. In this season of walking with Jesus through the joys and sorrows and challenges and opportunities of this age, I invite us to treasure the passing beauty of each day and trust in the eternal promise of new life in Christ.
