Thoughts on Holy Week

During Holy Week, I had to work hard to not have any expectations of myself - internally, at least - no expectations to feel or look at things a certain way.  Externally, of course, being in the choir, I had places to be and things to do.

• Palm/Passion Sunday:  I don't remember Palm Sunday also being Passion Sunday in the Lutheran Church when I was growing up.  I understand why the two are put together, but I always have the feeling that Palm Sunday gets glossed over, and that there is more to get out of it than just being the introduction to the service.

During the reading of the Passion, I was struck again by the words of the criminal crucified with Jesus, and with Jesus's response: 

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23: 39 - 43)

What does that mean?  I know - I can see the literal words.  But what is it that just went on between Jesus and the criminal?  Nobody else in any of the Gospels gets that kind of response - "...today, you will be with me in Paradise."

On second thought, I'm not sure I want an explanation.  It's beautiful the way it is.

For the Palm Sunday anthem, we sang When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, but with different music than I'm used to.  I spent the rehearsals working on getting the notes so the words didn't really hit me until we ran through it one more time in the nave before the service started.  

...See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown...

I got all teary during the third verse - hopefully, anyone who noticed assumed it was allergies.

Okay, since I got teary during the run-through, I'd be fine during the service, right?!  Unfortunately, I did the same thing while we were singing during the service, although I held out until the final verse.  I just kept my nose buried in the music so no one would see. 

• Maundy Thursday:  I've never been to a Maundy Thursday Mass or service - not in 20 years in the Catholic Church or 7 in the Episcopalian Church.  There are many reasons including that my voice can't hold out for four days of intense singing and that the foot-washing idea weirds me out.  

I realized that in a way, this doesn't make much sense for me.  Yes, the foot washing bothers me, but Maundy Thursday also celebrates the beginning of the Eucharist, which is central to my faith.

• Good Friday:  I teared up here too; I always do. 

We had the Bishop preaching all week.  He's probably the most charismatic preacher I've ever heard. This sermon was encouraging - about how Jesus came to make us into family - but, after thinking about it, it seemed very unrealistic.  Just look at what's been going on in the Catholic Church or the splitting up of the Episcopalian Church.  I don't think Jesus came to make us into a dysfunctional family. 

The anthem was Crucifixion by Adolphus Hailstork. It's a powerful piece and more rhythmically interesting than a lot of choral music (click here to listen to a bit).

• Easter Vigil:  It was an uplifting, energetic, inspiring service.  I was totally wrapped up and carried away.  This led me to wonder, however, whether this means that I'm re-growing a bit in faith, or does it just mean that I was carried away by the theatricality of the evening (which is quite dramatic). 

I particularly liked the part of the Bishop's sermon which discussed Mary Magdalene and her role.  He emphasized that she never saw things quite the same way as the others - that she was always out of step. 

Obviously, I'd like a sermon where someone being out of step is still okay. 

• Easter morning:  We started with my absolutely favorite hymn of all time, Jesus Christ is Risen Today.  The anthem also was wonderful - The Angel Rolled the Stone Away (unfortunately, I can't find a good recording online).

I also realized another reason for not going to the Maundy Thursday service.  I'm not extroverted enough to add another service to these four days!! I was blitzed by the time we finished lunch.  We had a quiet afternoon, and I'm going to have a quiet day tomorrow. 

[Photo:  Bloodroot buds at the Greensboro Arboretum]

Comments

[Summer]

Yes, we're not quite extroverted, either. We get all eye-pokey at one another during the holiest days because we're worn out. But at least we know that's all that's really going on. We had one of those, I'm not mad at you, well I'm not mad at you, either, barking conversations on the way to church Sunday.

I totally thought it was allergies, so I think you were covered.

If I get a chance, I am also posting sometime soon about the Vigil sermon. That Mary Mag bit was very encouraging.

[M Light]

I hope you get a chance - I'd like to read/hear your thoughts.