The End

No, not the end of my postings, you're not that lucky, its the end of the liturgical season of lent.  We are currently right smack in the middle of Holy Week, the "week that changed the world."  Each of the daily gospel passages in church have to do with a someone's personal interaction with Christ. The people that have encounters are Cleopas, Martha, Judas, "a certain man," John, Simon of Cyrene, Mary, and Simon Peter.  The readings really help us to meditate on how we interact with Jesus and how we treat others, which should be like we treat Jesus.

If you notice to the right of the blog there is a link to daily readings and reflections (I hope you are diggn' the new layout).

Today, Wednesday, is sometimes called Spy Wednesday, not a day to spy on neighbors, thats Tuesdays. Spy Wednesday has this name due to Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, spied for the perfect time to turn on Jesus. In the Orthadox tradition they fast not only on Fridays but also on Wednesdays throughout the year for this reason.

Tomorrow begins the holiest 3 days of the year called the Sacred Triduum. There are alot of beautiful liturgical happenings during different masses such as the priest washing the feet of parishioners, a procession of the Eucharist, veneration of the cross, blessing of fire, and new members are received into the Christian faith.

Just as with any end a new beginning follows.  Lent is 40 days long but Easter is celebrated for 50 days.  The rejoicing always takes precedent over the suffering.  Life naturally ebbs and flows as we have all experienced with life's many ups and downs.  Lent is a very good time to take a look at the downs, the valleys, or the ebbs of life and turn them into new creations or new life.  All things are an act of love from God whether we can understand it or not.  How often do we look back and see blessings in past troubles or how well something turned out amidst turmoil.  The hard part is when we look ahead and see clouds or more valleys.  Faith is walking in the direction knowing its going to be challenging but also knowing that on the other side is rejoicing and joy.

“Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valleys you must traverse. Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop. So will you learn things in adversity that you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.”