Coming Clean

Man… it has been one busy Holy Week… and it’s almost over and I feel like I haven’t put in or got out what I need. :sigh:

I’ve been trying so hard to get the time to do the next TRIT post: Crossroads. But… yeah… time… anyone got any spare time I can eat up when I’m out of work and have the kids put to bed?

But I’m being selfish - wanting more for me on top of everything else I have.

So today is Holy Thursday - the celebration of the institution of the Eucharist. The Masses held by the Orthodox/Catholic are particularly jubilant and solemn: jubilant in that it is the birthday of the greatest gift that the believer and Church community actively partkes; solemn in that this is the day before Jesus offers Himself up as our final sacrifice.

So solemn is this occasion that enough Eucharist is consecrated to be served the next two days because Eucharist is not consecrated on those days: a reflection upon the time in which the world did not know Jesus and thought Him dead forever. The service, which so vibrantly celebrates the washing of the feet and the Eucharist, ends in darkness, with the alter and sanctuary stripped, the baptismal fonts empty, and a silent exit by the faithful.

On Good Friday, a communion service is held. The Eucharist that is served is extra that had been consecrated the day before and hidden away. The passion is read. Typically there is a veneration of the cross. And, even with songs, it is still so quiet and sad. Overall, perhaps the most solemn services ever held.

But on late Saturday evening, the best celebration the world knows is held. And that one, I’ll save for later… but I wanted to relate a little bit of what is going on in churches around the world and the stuff I’m thinking about.