spy wednesday

Spy Wednesday...the old name for today.  Kind of like the sound of it better than "Wednesday of Holy Week".

I opted out of Mass this morning.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays I have to drive a good ways through town to Mass, and then back to school, and it is always a rush both ways.  The church near my school does not have Mass on Wednesday mornings, so about half of the time, the thought of unhurried silence wins out.  I can spend a half hour or more there...almost always alone, except for the Holy Presence.

I reflected this morning on the fact that Lent is almost over.  It hasn't been bad.  Last year, I felt so lost, and it's been better than that.  Neither do I feel, "Wow!  What great spiritual growth I made!!"  Another blogger posted that we had five days left to get it together!  Usually, I will give up chocolate or sweets or some such thing for Lent.  But this year, I didn't.  I've felt somewhat left out when prayers speak of fasting or self-denial or hunger.  I know we can fast from other things...procrastination, say....but the idea of food sacrifices and Lent seem to be so closely linked.  Today the thing that I heard was "Take only what you need."  That stayed with me all day.   Eat only what you need to eat...that caramel chocolate egg??  Probably not really a need.

This evening my parish offered a Tenebrae Service.  It is based on the Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings.  Each year that I have been, it has been somewhat different.  But always, Psalms are read.  Lamentations are chanted.  Seven candles are present...extinguished one at a time throughout the service.  Always it ends with a loud noise (cymbals this year) and the church in darkness.  This year, one lone burning candle (the Easter candle) remained.  Everyone exits in silence.

This song was one that was featured during the service.  It went quite well with chanted scripture, Latin, and instrumental responses.  Truly, it was a nice variety.




As we left this year, a lady offered me a small cross made out of a palm frond.  I whispered, "thank you".  I have seen her at Mass for years (she attends daily Mass, too, but sits on the other side), and at parish events, but we had never really spoken.  A couple of weeks ago, I realized that I would not be able to serve this past Saturday, since I would be at Immaculee's retreat, and I asked her to take my place.  I thought the cross was rather a neat gesture.

Tomorrow...Thursday...is a day I have looked forward to for months.  For several years I have wanted to attend the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, but it is always a work day for me.  But months ago, I asked a friend if she wanted to come with me, and then found a sub for the day.  I am so looking forward to going (though I'm stressing a bit about what I have to wear).  I am also serving at Mass at my parish tomorrow evening, and I am very much looking forward to that Mass and the adoration time that follows!

May the peace of Christ find its way to your heart during this Holy Week.