The Ending to a Beautiful & Long Overdue Holy Week

Wow! What a week! It has been so busy, that I wasn't able to get Joey to the first Sunday "Service" at Saint Peter's Episcopal in Oxford I wanted him to go to (Palm Sunday - a favorite), however, I had decided Maundy Thursday would be the perfect one to take him to since it is so simple and makes such a statement about the tradition and beauty of the evening it represents. I woke up that day feeling I was going to make it through a 'good day'.
We had committed ourselves ALL day for the service, and somehow once it got to an hour before the service, I was in excruciating pain and we did not get to go. I looked back again in my Book of Common Prayer to find the "Stations of the Cross" that follows the Good Friday noon service & decided it would be the next best one for Joey to experience.
IT WAS! I explained to him before it all started how Jesus had worn a crown of thorns and was made to carry his own cross up a long stretch of paths that would lead to the top of a Mountain. He has seen the 3 crosses at the Baptist church next door to our house where we are blessed with the use of their track for Joey's bike rides, etc. Of course, we also will contribute to the church and participate in a few choice activities in order to appear often enough to not lose the privileges we have gained from being part of this odd community where we live (not that they don't benefit from me picking up trash while I'm there, either)! However, all the times we attend the Southern Baptist Church almost next door (across the road from the easement we share - so really like 10-15 acres away); it never feels anything like the tradition and reverence of the ceremonies of the church I grew up in.
Being able to take Joey to one and find one he could begin to participate in a chapel service has been a hard decision to make; but he has really opened up lately and asked a lot of extremely interesting society-type questions. One was, "Do children go to jail?". At first, I was horrified by him asking this question, to which my response was, "were you planning on going or what?"!! Finally after some talking on his part, I realized he took a comment I had made to him about the use of his bad manners [in front of some people he is comfortable with] could very well be interpreted as he being a bad person, of which I know he is not. Joey having heard one cousin family member of mine and I discussing another person in my family; whom I said I thought was 'terrible, bad, a troublemaker' and "surprised he never went to jail" all as Joey was listening (as he always is) and thought his "bad" manners (my description of them ONCE) and thought hecould go to jail for them! He is so abstract! In spite if the abstract-nature he has, he does care very much about others and when he learns he has compromised the feelings or life of another person or living being, he takes it so hard he can be brought to cry. He takes critism so hard, I think, because he is already very self-aware and self-critical. It breaks my heart.
Knowing this about him, but also knowing he wanted to attend the church in the chapel, I decided the Stations of the Cross would be the first one he would attend with just me. We literally went through all 14 Stations, overall which Joey knew what to expect before-hand! I was about to pass out from all the walking, I think as well as Joey for such a hot day, but it was a resounding success! I was so happy to see the alter still stripped and the crosses still covered in the chapel. Joey and I sat in there after everyone had left to talk about anything he didn't understand. All he didn't get was why they used a cross to punish Jesus. I left out the part of history about how people were judged and "justice" was served in a different way all those thousands of years ago!

Because of his interest, we both returned with Gene together on Holy Saturday after sundown for the candle-light Easter Vigil. Before we started the Vigil in the newly moon-lit courtyard, I was able to light candles in memory of those that will not be forgotten and yet, could not be with me in the flesh since the last time I attended an Easter Vigil.

After lighting the Paschal candle, burning incense, and every candle (including Joey's) was lit from that flame; we were able to enjoy 1 hrs and 30 minutes of the service before Joey even got antsy! I was so happy to get to attend this service, which in all fairness to Joey, was a LONG service for a 5.5 year old to attend! I would have been squirming in my seat WAY before did! I also tried to explain the things we would do before they happened, which seems to help him have more patience with respect, church, etc. Once Joey started the "wiggle-yet-not-embarrassing-me-yet" dance he does, I sent him and Gene to the car - where after immediately Holy Communion was held, I got to partake of, and joined my family in the car! The service was SO moving and I cried a great deal for those I have lost over the last 2 years. It was truly a memorable service. I was so glad this is how we broke up our Holy Week services this year!

I hope the newness that has passed within my soul and spirit will remain for as long as my spirit needs to be fed for the days ahead. I would also wish this for each of you.

Peace be with you!
Suz