Whenever Sandra and her sisters get together (there are four of them) they practice a certain ritual. No sooner do they meet and find themselves even remotely close to some flat surface (usually a kitchen table) it begins. They drag out their various albums and review their respective collections of photographs -- old and new. Initially, years ago, I found this practice odd and wondered if they always packed albums to take with them wherever they went. I suspected that if ever a stranger might find himself sitting with one of my sisters-in-law, oh say during a lengthy flight, that person would likely be regaled for hours with stories about people never to be met. I have been assured that never happens -- often, at least.
Over the years I've grown to appreciate their tradition -- not enough to remain a party to it, mind you. I do see the benefits though. It's more than a way of sharing. I've come to understand that it's a way of reconnecting. The sisters reconnect with one another as a family by recalling shared relationships, experiences, and events -- those of which they were all part in the distant past and those in which only one or other was able to be involved. As they recount the stories captured in the snapshots, those moments become present to each person. As they reminisce, together, they become present to those memories. The people, places and experiences come alive again. They laugh and cry and the closeness among them deepens. Their relationships are strengthened and their individual lives enriched. They even feel close to those long gone away.
That ritual -- the process of remembering -- is the basis of faith and of faith community. It has been central to Judeo-Christian tradition from the beginning. That's why the Bible exists. It is a vast collection of stories about God and what God has done throughout the generations -- an album of word pictures, which portrays people, places, events and experiences when God was noticeably present. That's why the biblical writings are full of injunctions to remember. That's also why Jewish and Christian faith communities alike have designated special holidays to remember significant events -- like Passover or Christmas -- and routine rituals -- like the Eucharist -- to remember what God has done in the past. We even have a technical term for it: anamnesis. Anamnesis is the process whereby we, as a community, remember back to what God has done in the past. When we do, those past people and events become present to us here and now -- they come alive to us and we to them. The process is a spiritual one that involves our intellects and our emotions. It is the basis of sacramental theology and of our liturgical worship as a church, of our reconnection with God and each other as His extended family.
Holy Week is the most dramatic example of remembering the past as a community. On Palm Sunday we will recall Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem and the people's welcome of Him as their messianic king. On Maundy Thursday we will recall Jesus' Last Supper with His friends, His institution of the Lord's Supper and His washing of the disciples' feet – exemplifying servanthood. On Good Friday we will recall Jesus' passion, crucifixion and death. At the Great Easter Vigil we will wait for Christ as the first disciples did and reminisce about the great redemptive acts of God throughout history. On Easter Day we will remember and celebrate together the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us take every opportunity to gather around the table, open the album and remember, together, all that God has done in Christ. As we do, He will become more present to us.
Palm Sunday – We reenact Jesus’ arrival at the religious and political center of Israel at the height both of his popularity and his unpopularity. Many thought He was God’s Messiah and wanted to make him king of Israel, and many others thought that he was a threat to Israel and so wanted to see him dead. We recall the drama of his triumphal entry and his tragic passion.
Passover Seder – Many believe that the Last Supper was, in fact, a Seder, which is the most sacred of Jewish meals. This year there will be a full-fledged, albeit abbreviated, Seder expressly for youth. It is the single-most meaningful experience that kids can have linking our Christian faith with its Jewish roots.
Maundy Thursday Foot-washing Ceremony and Lord’s Supper – Two of the most powerful things that Jesus ever did was to wash His disciples’ feet and institute the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist) during His Last Supper with them. We will reenact the foot-washing ceremony at 4 pm (for children) and at 7 pm.
The Stripping of the Sanctuary and All Night Vigil – After the Maundy Thursday Eucharist the Chancel will be stripped of everything to symbolize the way Jesus was stripped of everything during His passion. The Holy Sacrament will be placed in the chapel for all those wanting to participate in the traditional all night prayer vigil.
Good Friday Observances – We will have four services on Good Friday: Stations of the Cross for children, an ecumenical service at noon, the Liturgy for Good Friday with St. John’s Passion sung by the choir at 2 pm, and Stations of the Cross at 7 pm.
The Great Vigil of Easter – From the lighting of the new fire to the reading of God’s redemptive acts through history to the dramatic proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection, this Easter Eve service is thrilling to behold. It begins at 7:00 pm.
The Feast of the Resurrection – The resurrection of Jesus is the climax of our memories. Our celebration of the resurrection of our Lord will take place in five morning services.
Affectionately in Christ,
Phil +