Holy Saturday

What a wonderful and spiritual Holy Week.  We went to the Maundy Thursday service, and both Blake and Landon helped wash the feet.  It was neat watching someone so young participate in that fulfilling tradition, as well as wonderful seeing those allow them to wash their feet.  Unfortunately we could not go to the Good Friday service, as the boys were a little worn out by the days activities, but that did not stop us from reading the scripture, as well as praying at home.  Saturday we went to the Easter Vigil, and both boys made it through most of the service, they both fell asleep at the end.  The Easter Vigil is truly one of my favorite services in the Church, it starts out dark and there is a sense of anticipation building, as we await our Lord to be risen.  I imagine that is what Mary Magdalene, and the disciples felt while they were waiting for Jesus to rise from the tomb in which he was resting.  After the Paschal Candle is lit, we read some scripture from the old testament as we await our Lord to rise.  Then at once we all shout Alleluia, the Lord is Risen.  The lights are turned on, and the sacraments return to the altar.  We even had a baptism during the service.  This is a perfect service for that as we are reminded of Christ's love for us as he suffers on the cross, dies, and then is risen so that we will no longer suffer in sin and death.  We are also reminded of our vows we took during our own baptism, we are reminded of the Baptism Covenant that we follow every day.  It is a time for celebration, a time to feel gladness in all our hearts. We followed that service up with the Easter Sunday service, and an Easter egg hunt with the other children in our church.

In the middle of the weekend right before the Easter Vigil on Saturday, we have another service.  A small service known as the Holy Saturday Service that is meant as a time to pause and reflect on what will happen.  It is a time to slow down and wait for our Lord to come again.  This also happened to be the first service I led, as well as gave a sermon.  I actually read a sermon that was already written, since I am unable to write my own, yet.  But it still felt really good giving the sermon, it felt right. As I was anxiously awaiting the start of this service and wondering what lies ahead, I found myself reflecting on how the Disciples felt.  They were also awaiting, uncertain of what lay ahead.  Now after that service, and after our Lord has arisen we must go out to do the work that the Lord has called us to do.  I may not know where the Lord is leading me, but I am comforted to know that he is with me, and I will follow him wherever he leads me.  I urge us all to do the same.