I wrote an article for my parish's newsletter about my experience during the Triduum at the parish and joy. I thought you might en-joy it (or it en-joy you, actually):
During the Easter Triduum I saw and experienced much joy.
The Holy Thursday’s foot washing brought tears to my eyes. The musical backdrop of “The Servant Song” (“will you let me be your servant?”) and other similar songs provided a perfect atmosphere to witness the foot washing of twelve parishioners: young, old, male, female, those I know, those I hope to know. The incredible joy of a child, smile from ear to ear, witnessed to what we as Christians believe and know: our call to service extends to those we don’t always think about; our need to be served and the humility to allow ourselves to be served; that the love of Christ knows no bounds.
On Good Friday we venerated the cross. I was moved as I saw how differently we expressed our relationship with Christ. Some kissed the cross, others bowed, rubbed different parts of the cross, kneeled, or did a combination of all the above. Still others might have been uncomfortable with the veneration and chose stayed in their seats. But all desired an intimacy with God, all wanted to reflect on the mystery of the death of Jesus Christ.
And of course, the climax of the Triduum and the entire Liturgical year, the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. There was such a joy and electricity present in the congregation, especially during the singing of the Glory to God and the Alleluia. Hungry with forty days of fasting and preparing for this moment, we were ready to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord. Finally, let’s not forget the joyous reception of our brothers and sisters into the Church, faces glowing with holy oil and Holy Spirit. So much joy and excitement!
The Gospel of John says that “the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord” (John 20:20, NJB). It’s no wonder the joy I found throughout the Triduum. The same joy that filled the disciples fills us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. It is for this reason that we are Christians, because we believe that Jesus is the Christ; we believe that his resurrection saves us. His resurrection provides us with hope in the midst of our own “Good Fridays”. After all, we follow in a Savior who knows his way out of the tomb.
We are people of the resurrection; we are people of joy. As muffled as the joy may be at times, amounting to the tiniest trickle of water, joy drives us to seek more joy. The joy of Easter leads us out of the desert (of Lent and of our lives) as we follow the dribble of water, upstream towards the source, towards Jesus, the source of joy and new life.
As we continue in the Season of Easter and roll on into the summer months, I invite you to be on the lookout for joy. Joy found at home in your family, joy found in the lives of others, joy found at St. James, joy found in creation, and joy found in yourself. Rejoice in that moment of joy and thank God. Where we find joy, we may find the Lord.
May we be the loving presence of the risen Christ to our family, friends, and neighbors. May they be filled with joy. May we take to heart the invitation present in the hymn “We Are Called”: “Come! Live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!”
Happy enjoying! See you in August!
Blessings,
Isaac Garcia, Echo Catechetical Apprentice
5 comments:
this is a lot different than the isaac i roomed with at NCCL
Tae: two natures one being.
we are called... such a great song...
and, uh, isaac? i think that's blasphemous...
Fact: I never claimed I had to natures in one being, only stating it's possibility.
BUT if I did have two natures in one being, one of them would be ridiculous and another would be catechetical. Perfectly fine.
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