Holy Friday: It’s all about the

It’s all about

the wood

and the nails

and the blood

and the water

and the thirst

and the waiting with

and the staying away

and the forgiving

and the grief

and the abandonment

and the fear

and the apathy

and the holy

and the good

and the

Today.

What is your word for the day, when the liturgical color is black?

People are in prayer. People are busy. People are distracted.

Where are you?

From noon to three and then at 6.30 tonight people will gather at St. Mary’s to incarnate the words that we walked from Holy Thursday worship singing:

Stay with me

Stay here with me

Watch and pray

Watch and pray.

Bring your nail.

Pound it into the Holy Week cross.

Watch and pray.

Will that nail be transformed on the Sunday of the Resurrection?

Holy Thursday: Will we?

It’s Holy Thursday.

The day about disciples simply hanging out, being together, and eating meals with one another. As shown by Jesus in the last supper he prepares for those who follow him.

The day about disciples learning to love. To serve. As shown by Jesus who kneels before those who follow him and washes their feet.

The night that disciples are invited to wait and watch and pray with Jesus. As shown by those who said they followed Jesus who did not pray and watch with Jesus in the garden of Gethsamene. As those who said they followed Jesus did not do during his arrest and trial.

Will we eat a meal with each other?

Especially at Maundy Thursday worship.

Will we serve and love each other?

In all those unexpected times Jesus will offer us, especially today.

Will we watch with each other? Will we pray with each other? Will we wait with each other?

Especially during vigils through the night tonight and tomorrow as we observe Good Friday.

Holy Tuesday: Falling the First Time

Station Three on the Via Delorosa, Jerusalem

Friday is my Sabbath, and on this past Friday in preparation for Holy Week, I looked forward to a day to cease to work. It was a gorgeous spring day, and I spent a lot of time outside.

On one of my saunters across the patio, the toes of my shoes caught on a gap in the concrete, and I fell flat on my face. As I lay completely prone, I began to do an inventory of injuries. I laid there a little longer as I got over the shock of the fall.

It was quiet. The birds were singing. There was a soft breeze. I became aware that I was completely alone. No one knew I was lying on the ground in my back yard. Although hurting and jarred, I wasn’t anxious or afraid.

As I finally creaked to my feet, a little bruised, my face bleeding, I was very thankful for no broken teeth or bones.

Thanking God for only minor hurts, one of our St. Mary’s Stations of the Cross came to mind:

+ Jesus Falls the First Time +

This contemplation of a place along the way of Jesus’ walk to his crucifixion is not based on any Scripture, yet walking along uneven stone streets, carrying a heavy load, literally and metaphorically, it is highly likely that Jesus fell.

On this Tuesday in Holy Week I ponder Jesus’ falling.

What sounds did he hear?
What hurts did he feel?
Is this when the soldiers compelled Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry his cross?

Jesus, the Son of God, fell. Jesus, the Chosen One, fell.

What does it mean to love and follow and serve Jesus, who falls?

Holy Monday: Nine O’Clock in the Morning

It’s nine o’clock in the morning. On this Holy Momday, Minerva is praying Morning Prayer at St. Mary’s.

I am at home in the Rectory sitting in my prayer chair. Sacred sage incense is burning. I am praying with Minerva and others at St. Mary’s who have stopped to pray. I can feel the prayers rising like the incense and surrounding me.

It’s nine o’clock in the morning. The hour when Jesus is taken to be crucified.

It’s nine o’clock in the morning. The hour when the Spirit swirls like fire and wind upon and within the disciples gathered in Jesusalem fifty two days after Jesus died. Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection.

But today, it’s nine o’clock in the morning on a day we call Holy because we are simply being with Jesus. Praying. Listening. Worshipping.

We’ll do it again at 6.30 tonight. Gil will lead us. Whether we are at St. Mary’s or in the chapels of our hearts, will you stop and join us?

There is nothing more important, more essential, more more holy than to pray. To listen. To worship.