Today's Revgalblogpals asks these five questions as we continue to prepare for a busy week. For me, it is ten days beginning with a prayer vigil by the youth group tonight. So here are my answers.
1. What restores you physically?
If the weather cooperates, I will spend a fair amount of time walking, with or without the dogs.
2. What strengthens you emotionally/ mentally?
Reading something totally unrelated to Holy Week helps. Sitting in silence does too but happens less often as my mind is usually churning with last minute stuff. Fortunately, my secretary is highly organized and has the bulletins all done so I have fewer last minute fears. Leaves more time for wondering what God would have me say about these lessons we read every single year!
3. What encourages you spiritually?
Singing! Holy Week is full of opportunities to chant and sing wonderful hymns. And I am practicing the Vaughn Williams Mass for the Civic Chorale concert, a truly glorious piece.
4. Share a favourite poem or piece of music from the coming week.
It is hard to choose just one or even two. I suppose Ah, holy Jesus and Were you there are my favorite hymns of Holy Week. I'll have to think about the poems.
5.There may be many services for you to attend/ lead over the next week, which one are you most looking forward to and why? If there aren't do you have a favourite day in Holy week if so which one is it?
We are doing a full Tenebrae service again this year. Being a little better at it than last when we made some last minute vocal substitutions - I hadn't planned to sing half the psalms! - I am looking forward to experiencing the service more and leading it less.
But my favorite service of the week is probably Good Friday. The solemn collects, walking the way of the cross, emptying the aumbry of reserve sacrament. It is a day when all of the symbols seem to speak louder, be more visible.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the little liturgy for Holy Saturday, the time when the tomb is sealed and no one is there except the guards. It is the quietest time of the church year and reminds me of the silence of exhaustion after the birth of the one sealed in that tomb.
1 comment:
Great play, I liked your thoughts on Holy Saturday.
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