The Paschal Triduum is always a beautiful time for me, but after the Easter Vigil (or, to be frank, during it), I am exhausted!!
There are so many things going on: helping with liturgies, special cleaning projects (candle holders, etc.), and continuing traditions that help make this time of year so special. As we were discussing roles for the liturgies during these holy days, somehow the topic of “reading the red print” came up. There is a lot of red print, that is text giving liturgical directives in the “Roman Missal” (the book used by the priest), during these days. Even after having helped with Holy Week liturgies for several years, I still don’t remember everything. There is a LOT to remember. Thankfully, we’ve developed a “cheat sheet” here at St. Anne’s as to all that needs to be prepared, and even where certain needed items are kept. It’s great! Needless to say, during the past week (or more), I’ve been reading a lot of colored text, or red print, as we say. But, that’s not the end of my colorful experiences! Good Friday evening, after finishing up my work in chapel, I went to our activity room kitchen and boiled 3 dozen eggs. Holy Saturday afternoon, some residents gathered, and we dyed the eggs together. I really love all these paschal traditions; they are so beautiful, just like the sparkling candles, flower-laden sanctuary, and colorful eggs. These traditions help us “taste and see” the wonder of these holy days, the depth of which I feel I have barely touched. Well, I’d better get to work now practicing the music for this morning’s Mass.
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Today, having heard that the temperature was to get up to 60, I was finally able to get out in the yard and uncover my “little trees.” Our maintenance man, Jasen, and I had planted them last fall, surrounding them with leaves for added protection, and covered them with pails for the winter.
Now, as spring appears to be here (I’d better not hold my breath), it is time to let my little seedlings see the sun. They are so tiny that you can hardly see them, but they’re still there! The sun is not too strong yet, but it should be increasing. Hopefully, when warmer days come, my “little trees” will start soaking in the sun…Hopefully, within a few weeks, I can see some green, some new life! I think there are some lessons for my own life in these little seedlings! This morning, as I was reflecting on the readings for today’s Mass, I was struck by a message that was repeated in both the first reading (Isaiah) and the epistle (Philippians):
“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” ~ and ~ “Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” I have been praying about a difficult situation, asking for some change, some relief. It was interesting that both of these readings seemed to lend me some promise of the “newness” for which I have been asking. Might God be doing “something new” in me, in my life? Time will tell! In the meantime, I guess I’m called to renewed trust, to renewed love, each day. As we see the snow recede and enjoy the ability to go outside without a winter jacket, this sense of anticipation, of new life just on the horizon, touches our physical world as well. I pray that these final weeks of Lent and the coming festivities of Easter may be a time of renewal for you and for me as we daily seek His “upward calling.” I came over to the convent this afternoon to tie up a few loose ends (including checking email and brushing my teeth) before starting my shift at the reception desk. I would not be off again until ten.
While I was here, I decided to look for an item Sr. Elaine had offered to me, stating it was in her top drawer. Happily, I found it without too much effort. At this point, the thought crossed my mind of switching her drawers around as an April Fools trick. Instead, I admonished myself to “save some for next year.” Throughout this day, I have been up to a bit of mischief, here and there. I suppose you might say I am acting more like a child than a grown woman, but oh well, April 1st comes but once a year. Having done my research for fresh (and harmless) April Fools tricks, I have been victimizing others at St. Anne’s by:
In the meantime, I have to hope that no one notices the specks of black marker on my hand, left behind from the toilet paper trick. I want them to be surprised to see the spiders! |
AuthorSr. Christina M. Neumann Archives
December 2019
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