For those of you who are not Catholic and don't know how the ritual is done on that day I want to share a few thoughts with you. I don't mean to elevate my situation to that of the biblical story of Christ's last supper, but I enjoy the process of identification with Jesus as a human. Here he is supposed to know from whence he came and where he is going and yet in the very moments of his deepest thoughts about going through the valley of death he too called out to God and said, "if this cup can pass, I don't want to do it anymore", but if it is your will than let it be done. Well Isn't that where we all are? Another interesting item is that the disciples who were supposed to be supporting Jesus in the Garden that night fell asleep because they exhausted themselves grieving. Grief, I think, is really a kind of selfish thing. I mean who are you crying for but yourself, your loss, your feelings, etc. Well that may not always be true. When Francis died my tears seemed to be for his lost future, but if he was headed to another place, better, or non-existence, he didn't need any tears, there were mind.
The priests come up the aisle at the opening of the services with incense that they spread around the people and the altar etc. I thought about that being like spiritual radiation and said to myself, Waff some of that good stuff right over here.
Then there was the bringing of the oils that had been blessed on the MOnday before. The first of the oils is for the blessing of the sick during the year. I looked at the little bottle of oil and thought, Heck I want a bath in that stuff, there isn't enough there!
On this celebration of the last supper, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to show them humility and and to show them that they must be servants too. Yesterday, twelve individuals were invited up to the altar to sit in a chair and bare their feet and the bishop and other priests came forward and washed they feet. One of the persons getting their feet washed was my oncologist. My own little catholic doctor.
I have know this doctor for almost 20 years. We worked at Hospice together for 10 years. He is a good man, a good doctor and I feel especially blessed to have him taking care of me.
Today - Good Friday - is all about death - but with a promise of Easter around the corner.
Family is here - egg dying, church, dinner out, etc. HOPE IS IN THE AIR...and proof in the camera.
About Me
- The Calico Pen
- My book "The Bastard Tree" is still available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. I hve had a lot of positive remarks about my story and although I am not making money with it, I am glad I did it. It is one of those things that people always say, "you should write a book," so I did. I like to write and I hope you will enjoy reading what I post.
