Holy Week | Wednesday & Thursday

I think I mentioned on this post that Easter was a special time for us converts in the Roman Catholic Church.
So this past Saturday night we were received into the community.

BUT before all of this I have to tell you about the Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays before Easter Saturday!

Wednesday
We celebrated the Paschal meal with the rest of the community.
Bitter leaves.
Salty water.
Boiled eggs.
Roast lamb.
Unleavened Bread.
All eaten hastily.
Just like the Israelites did all those nights ago before the Exodus.
But we finished off our meal with a some tea and a Hot Cross Bun.
Unlike the Israelites.

Thursday Night
The Mass of the Lords Supper.
It was really a beautiful mass.
The Eucharist was carried out of the Tabernacle in a procession followed by the church community carrying candles and singing really softly, almost chanting, as we walked into the "Garden of Gethsemane" (which was the hall). The Eucharist was then placed on an Altar  with a picture of Jesus holding a little child on  His breast. This is called the Altar of Repose. We were asked to spend time with the Eucharist in prayer.

I sat there with Jacques, quietly, the light from the candles in the room danced around this beautiful picture of the cross and around the Holy Communion.

I couldn't help but place myself in Gethsemane with Him, I imagined him asking me to pray with Him.
I heard in His voice, His need for me to come with Him.
To just be.
With Him.
With All of Him.
I chose to stay.
I chose to chat with Him.
I talked with Him of the time Mary said to the servants at the wedding at Cana,
"Do whatever He tells you."
I giggled but I desired to have the Faith she had in Her Son.

I only chose to stay,
because I knew what was coming.
I know now that the right thing to choose was to stay and pray.
A reality hit.
My Jesus needs me.
For everyday I put Him back in Gethsemane and then on the Cross.
And yet He leaves me with
an empty tomb.
A clean heart.

Love and Light