I have been following the news of Pope John Paul II whose illness has seemed to worsen over the past weeks. Now Holy (or Passion) Week seems to be his time of relinquishment to the will of God. The Pope is demonstrating to the world the faithful way to die. I watch and learn from him.
On the other hand, Terri Schiavo, has been waiting unconscious for fifteen years for an opportunity to move through death to something better than palliative care. The Pope and Terri are in my prayers. May they see God face to face when death does come.
It won't surprise you that I have experienced Holy Week from a different perspective this year. As one who faces a serious illness, the texts of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday take on new depth and the experience accorded to Jesus by the Gospels becomes more poignant. For the time being, with the Marys and the disciples I am content to wait in the hushed darkness, not yet ready for Easter, still remembering Passion Week. It is this anxious waiting that will, I hope, prepare me for the unexpected good news of Easter morning.
Posted by Donel at March 25, 2005 04:57 PMThank you Gail. That is a lovely prayer.
Posted by: Donel at March 26, 2005 05:38 PM
I thought of you yesterday, Donel, as I sat in St.Mark's cathedral for the Good Friday service - full of poetry and harp music and lots of silence. Prayers were interspersed throughout the service and I liked this one as I held you in prayer:
Posted by: gail Crouch at March 26, 2005 03:37 PM"May the God who goes before you through desert places by night and by day be your companion and guide; may you journey with saints present and those who have come before; may the Holy Spirit be your strength and Christ your clothing of light, as you walk (or dance) this journey. Amen."