First, the reading of the Passion Narrative has over the past years become for me less and less a means of connection to the God-Human love story. I found Matthew's anti-Semetism ("His blood be on us and on our children") an annoyance at best and disturbing at a deeper level. Bill Chilton and I have reached out to Rabbi Peter Hyman to explore a joint 2012 Lenten offering aimed at presenting a more historical account of the last days of Jesus' life in next year's Palm Sunday-Good Friday readings.
Second, I was very drawn to worship at night with diminished light and sound against a backdrop of candles. In the space I remembered Karen Armstrong's observation that worship was first rooted to art in the caves of France some 15,000 years ago. I intend to explore further nightly worship opportunities at Trinity as I think our space really lends itself to this type of service.
Third, my post-modern sensibilities were shocked by the role of "evil" and "suffering" as described in the services of The Way of the Cross and Tenebrae. I struggle walking the fine line between alleviating human suffering while accepting that suffering has been a means by which I have become more truly human. These services confronted me with my impoverished understanding of evil. I left these services with a sense that if my walk with Jesus is to deepen it will take me into the mystery of suffering and evil.
Fourth, the Maundy Thursday overnight vigil was very meaningful to me. Others communicated a similar experience. They confirmed my own feeling that 30 minutes was too short a period of time. We who entered the space were drawn to remain in it soaking up something not easily put into words.
Fifth, like many priests and lay people who "put on" Holy Week services I was again amazed at the poor attendance when compared with the average Sunday attendance. There is nothing new here to report. I expect it. Who wants to endure 3-4 services around the suffering of an innocent man when it seems so like the everyday news? Yet, there is something shallow about an Easter celebration that bypasses the suffering. The Collect for Monday in Holy Week contains much needed wisdom for our consumer driven culture, "Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace..." The Church should not separate Easter Day from Good Friday.
Shalom, Greg
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