Good Friday

I never feel like I put enough effort into Good Friday.  My fasting isn't enough, my abstaining from meat isn't enough.  I don't pray enough or reflect enough.I look back over the days of Lent and always think I have failed at it.

I was going to go to Stations of the Cross, but just sent my husband instead.  We were watching our grandson for a few hours and it was his nap time.  I am sure it was a great way to reflect upon these hours of Good Friday.  I attended Holy Thursday services, staying for an hour of Adoration afterwards.  I will go to Good Friday services tonight and Easter Vigil tomorrow night and morning Mass on Sunday.  So, why is it I don't think I do enough or do it right?

It has been an unusually overcast day, with a 20% chance of rain.  I have even seen a drop or two in the pool.  The overcast seems so appropriate for this day. A bit somber.  Yet, because I know that in spite of Good Friday, or because of Good Friday, Sunday is coming.  We as Christians focus so much on the Crucifixion, that sometimes I think we miss the Resurrection.

I love the Gospel stories that lead up to Good Friday.  The Parables that show Jesus teaching, challenging, changing and loving everyone through these days.  Without that love that he shows through his teaching, challenging and changing, would we even be aware that we want to give up more or be more or change more during these days?

Maybe, just maybe, His love makes me enough.  What is more important? To do it right or love him more?  I think each year that I experience Lent, Holy Week and the Resurrection of my heart through the Mass of the Resurrection, I love him more.  Maybe next year, I won't be as concerned about doing it right and I will love more.

Reflections on Ash Wednesday in a Muslim Country

I thought I had posted this, but discovered it was still in draft mode...


When we realized that our planned trip to Saudi Arabia to visit our daughter would fall on Ash Wednesday we wondered just how we would be able to receive the traditional blessing of ashes on our foreheads. Knowing that Christianity is kind of underground here...people know it exists, they just don't advertise it.  It is kind of "by word of mouth".

Our daughter is not a practicing Christian, in the traditional sense of going to church every Sunday, but it is where her roots are and her daily actions are certainly pleasing to God.  She is an example of Christ in her daily life. We asked early on if she could find out just how we might be able to receive ashes.  We knew the "church" existed here because one of our visiting priests had spent 16 years serving here and still comes back to relieve other priests during the summer.  He had actually told us that a friend of his would be here during our time here.  So, as our daughter was asking questions, we finally came to find out that "yes" we could receive ashes on Wednesday and we were told where to go.  We couldn't attend Mass because it fell right at the time when Sojo's play would be starting and that is why had traveled all these miles.  So, we went to this place anyway and rang the bell.  There was Father John getting ready for Mass. The music was playing beautifully and it was as sacred a place as any ancient cathedral I had ever been in.  We explained our dilemma to him and he graciously brought out ashes from last year, as this year's were not blessed yet. He said the prayers and made the sign of the cross on our hand, to be discreet.  And so, these nomadic Christian/Catholics received ashes, just like any other year.

Since we are 10 hours ahead of MST in Arizona, I was seeing lots of Ash Wednesday posts on Facebook this morning.   Everything from ashes being given on street corners to several articles on Ash Wednesday and Lent.  We had actually discussed what we might do if we could not find the "place" where ashes were to be distributed here and had kind of smiled at the thought of taking some of the earth and blessing one another. This one from Spirituality and Practice really hit home to me.  I had been so focused on finding "my" place of worship and being able to experience "my" faith tradition, that I forgot that it is ALL HOLY. Whether I am being blessed by a priest with ashes that have been blessed, or I am blessing myself or a loved one with the earth upon which I stand, it is all good...it is all Holy...it is all God.

http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/days/features.php?id=16615

"Because of infirmity, family obligations, or work-related responsibilities, you may not be able to go to church today and be marked with ashes. But do not let that prevent you from being touched by this powerful ancient medicine. All the earth is holy land and its soil is blessed. So, place a small pinch of dust or dirt in the palm of your hand and use it to trace upon yourself the sign of the cross, a sign of death that leads to new life, as you prayerfully ask God to heal you." And I repeat...I had been so focused on finding "my" place of worship and being able to experience "my" faith tradition, that I forgot that it is ALL HOLY.  Whether I am being blessed by a priest with ashes that have been blessed, or I am blessing myself or a loved one with the earth upon which I stand, it is all good...it is all Holy..it is all sacred....it is all God.

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