Categories: other-churches
Date: 14 April 2006 02:23:30
This morning I woke up feeling quite well, thanks be to God: though I think I may need an afternoon nap! I took myself back to the local Catholic parish for the Good Friday Office of Readings and The Stations of the Cross. I am thankful to God: I gained much from both.
The office of readings consisted of the hymn Sing, my tongue, of warfare ended (to the glorious tune Picardy); Psalms and responses; prayers; a reading from Hebrews; and a reading from St John Chrysostom's instructions to the catechumens, which I had never heard of before. These words from them brought comfort especially:
I said that baptism and the mysteries were symbolised in that blood and water. It is from these two that the holy Church has been born 'by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit', by baptism and by the mysteries. Now the symbols of baptism and the mysteries came from his side....
Have you seen how Christ has united his bride to himself? Have you seen with what kind of food he feeds us all? By the same food we are formed and are fed. As a woman feeds her child with her own blood and milk, so too Christ himself continually feeds those whom he has begotten with his own blood.
After the service I met and chatted to a few parishioners which was wonderful. The Stations of the Cross then commenced. I had never been to The Stations, despite a desire to, and I am thankful to God that I was able to. I found it an extremely moving and profitable meditation: so profitable I was crying at times -- I do hope the other parishioners around me were not too distracted or distressed by this visitor weeping. As the procession made its way around; as the meditations were read out by the priest and a reader; as the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be were said; as the verses of Stabat mater were sung between stations, I truly did enter into Christ's passion and His way to the Cross. The meditations especially drew me in and caused me to ponder the sufferings of Christ, as well as my sufferings -- especially at this present time: I found each word seemed to speak to me, to call to me to join in Christ's suffering by taking up my cross as He commanded -- but also knowing that His prayers and His strength is there for me. Thanks be to God.
I leave you with the words said at the beginning of each Station:
Priest: We adore You, O Christ, and bless You.
People: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.