Too much in the sun

My oldest son and I cleaned up the yard first, cutting weeds and dismantling an old fence we didn't need anymore. Then we brought the two younger boys out to play on the grass. I sat in the shade to watch them and drank water from a chipped glass, no lord or king on Earth more powerful than I.

Great Rock

Feast of the Resurrection

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday seems a bit awkward.  We are not required to keep the fast and abstinence of Good Friday, but it also seems absurd to start celebrating.  Yet, with the beautiful weather today in Northern Arizona, it is hard to focus on the absence of Christ.  He seemed so wonderfully present as I played with my sons behnd the house today - He was in the sun, the flowers, the intermittent creakings of the swingset and the wind that blew at opportune moments, refreshing any too-still moment with the sudden chaos of swirling dust and dancing grass.

Reflection on the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion

Last night I went to the Good Friday liturgy for the first time since college.  Since I don't remember my college days all that well, it was all new to me.  Now, I frequently go the Easter Vigil mass and will again tonight.  One thing that I have always liked about that mass is watching the change in the altar and the return of the Eucharist. 

Last night however, a few minutes into the service, I was disturbed by the emptiness of the tabernacle.  Of course, I am always disturbed by this at the Easter Vigil mass; but I am consoled by the knowledge that, by the end of mass, the Eucharist will be returned.  It was altogether more disturbing last night, realizing that I was going to leave in an hour, and the tabernacle would remain empty.  I had to walk out of the church and leave an empty tabernacle behind.

I didn't like the feeling.  I'm sure I was meant to feel that way.

Good Friday

                            Iesus

                            Nazarenus

                            Rex

                            Iudaeorum

Holy Thursday