Rainy Saturdays

What can be better? We have so much to do outside but sometimes we just need to wait. We need to sit inside and watch the world get its much needed shower. The rain is coming down in a steady beat. Water is flowing down the street in an orderly way. M-E is asleep and needs some rest. She is feeling so much better right now. I don't want to even mention to her the she has to have IV Methotrexate Monday. She will not be pleased. She might tolerate it better this time but then they give it to her until she had a bad reaction. We shall see.

Easter is tomorrow. I am pleased to report that six dozen eggs have been prepared. They are ready for the Easter Bunny to hide. I have to dig out the baskets and get ready. There are going to be some fun things in M-E's basket this year. Some Venice things and some things she has been asking for that are not very Eastery but then I think the Easter Bunny can gow beyond Peeps.

I think Easter is my favorite time of year in the Church. I understand why Mel G. made his movie after spending a few years observing the rituals of the Catholic Church.They are very different than the ones of the Protestant. There are three very important services.

The first is Maude Thursday. This is the service of the Last Supper. The washing of the feet is done. I have found that it is very easy to wash someone elses feet but very difficult to have them washed. It is the old "it is better to give than receive". I certainly have had a hard time with the receiving part. I am still having a hard time. I feel uncomfortable each time someone does something nice for me. On the flip side, I am very upset when someone does not let me do something for them. Go figure.

Good Friday is very dark. The Church is dark. The candles are not there. It is the only day in the whole year that there is no Mass. Simply put God is dead. No ifs, ands or buts about it. The church is dark until Saturday night when the Vigil takes place.

The Vigil is big. It is probably the most important service of the year. The vigil, the waiting by the tomb, the dark sadness of the passing of a dear friend and companion. The church is absolutly dark. The congregation gathers outside and a fire is lit. Candles are lit and carried into the church. ( Catholic Churches are made of stone for a reason.) Then they are blown out and the telling of the story from the Old Testament is read. From Genesis, to the Flood, to Isaiah and on to the birth, education and ministry and crucifixion of Jesus. Then the lights come on and the music starts and the celebration of the resurrections begins. The baptisms of new members, their first communion etc. It takes about two or three hours and ends around midnight.

Easter Sunday is sort of an after thought. I asked about the lack of Sunrise Services and Father Craig had a great answer. Oh, Sally, he is already gone. The deed is done.

I love the symbolism of the dark waiting. That feeling of being alone and then knowing the light will come. Iguess "the light at the end of the tunnel" is a very old set of symbols.

What came first the dark or the light? I think we can all agree the dark was a very important part of the process. Before the Big Bang it must have been very dark. The tulips have to be planted in the dark ground before they can great the world with all their color. The trees are quiet for a long long time before they burst forth with flowers and leaves and life.

We are still waiting for the return of the light but we know that is is coming and we are not waiting alone in the dark.