My first Holy Week and Easter as a pastor went well when you take everything into consideration. During the two weeks leading up, it seemed as though there was work every night of the week. And of course Holy Week is worship, followed by getting ready for more worship, followed by setting up for the next worship. So it's not surprising that I had a Spring cold in my Easter basket this year. Even so, with lots of water, tea, cough drops, zinc supplements and tissues, I made it through the week, participating fully. I even delivered a couple of well received sermons on Maundy Thursday and the Easter Vigil and managed not to panic long enough to sing the sung portions of the Easter Morning liturgies.
Business aside, I do love this time of year. The various parts of the week, especially the Triduum (Thur, Fri, Sat) really refresh my faith and strengthen my gratitude. We heartily want to deny that the head can lead the heart, and that only "good feelings" will ultimately confirm our faith. However, I've discovered the opposite to be true, if you want to get splattered with watermelon, you need to sit down in front at a Gallagher show. If you want to be splashed by the Holy Spirit, you need to make a conscious choice to be present when the Spirit is most accessible. Doing all these practices can bend our heart in a new direction.
There were some disappointments, like not being able to spend Sunday night with my sister, brother-in-law and parents. Calling that afternoon to say hello wasn't exactly the same. Perhaps next year the circumstances will work out better to get together.
I wish everyone a happy Easter, and I pray that the 50 days will inspire and feed you until Pentecost!
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