“Could you not stay awake for just one hour?”
Holy week is the most passionate time in the life of the Catholic Church. Within the span of eight days the church reenacts the significant events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Having spent many years in churches of the Protestant Reformation, away from the Anglican Episcopal tradition of my youth, and the Roman Catholic tradition of my husband’s youth, I marvel at how much I missed of being able to experience with my whole self the teachings and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
On Palm Sunday and again from Thursday evening through Friday night, we retell the passion story and act out the dedication and love that Jesus demonstrated to his disciples. In so doing, through several acts and actions, we write the words of Scripture upon our bodies.
Liturgy comes from a Greek word. It means “the work of the people.” During Holy week, more than almost any other time, the services truly are the work of the people. A Maundy Thursday service with a foot washing service as well as celebration of the Eucharist act out the story told through the voice of John the Evangelist. This service is humbling and tender. It allows much time for sitting in silence with the Holy while others are served. In this service one really must dispense with any interest in monitoring time. For this service is one of kairos, God’s time, not chronos, time of human understanding and measurement.
Last night, at the conclusion of our service, the stage was set to reenact the night in the Garden of Gethsemane as a vigil attending the consecrated Bread and Wine was held.
As I was driving home between the service my scheduled time at Midnight I had an amusing thought. I was thinking about Jesus’ words of tender rebuke to the ones who fell asleep during prayer. I was thinking about how I could prepare to stay awake. Should I have a cup of coffee? Stop at Starbucks on the way home?
What if Peter had said to Jesus, “ Lord, why didn’t you tell us you planned on staying out all night in the Garden? We could have drunk less wine, had a cup of coffee instead.”
Peter couldn’t tell Jesus, “Hey, Messiah, let’s stop at Starbucks on our way to the Garden.”
Peter said a lot of things that Jesus shook his head at, but suggesting stopping for coffee wasn’t one of them.
So I figured that took Starbucks out of the equation for me last night. I didn’t even make special preparation during the day, by taking a nap. So I came home, spent a few minutes preparing what clothes needed for Friday and then, sat down to read, but skipping my usual pot of Chamomile tea, hoping to stay alert enough through the night.
But just like the disciples in the Garden, I couldn’t remain alert.
My body insisted on a short nap. Without that nap I would have been a greater danger to others on the road as I returned to take my watch at the Lady’s Altar in the rear of the sanctuary.
Last night will hold a special memory for me. During those hours I reflected on the earnestness of the disciples, and their frail ability to be fully present in the company of Jesus during his last hours of earthbound life in human form. In their story I saw my own inability to remain attentive to God’s presence. Yet, never once did I feel that Christ felt any bitterness or distaste for me, only a tender and compassionate love.
“Forbid it Lord that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.”
Isaac Watts
Thanks for sharing this!
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