Friday, March 25, 2016

Dear God,

Good Friday.  I searched for a church in our community where I could attend the Good Friday service.  Little did I realize you had a surprise waiting for me.  I slipped into St. Malachi Catholic Church which was packed with pilgrims.  Bowing to the altar, I stepped into a pew where two women were sitting.  As I started to sit, I realized the two women, both United Methodist, were dear friends whom I had not seen in many years.  What was the chance we would all wind up in the same pew at 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday in a Catholic Church?  We hugged, then knelt in silence as mass began.

We heard the story repeated of Jesus' betrayal, crucifixion, and death.  Then the veil was removed revealing the crucified Christ.  The priest invited us to make a pilgrimage to the cross to offer our prayer of adoration.  For well over an hour, one by one, individuals, couples, children, old and young, some in wheelchairs and on walkers, made their way in long lines to the cross, genuflecting, touching Jesus' feet, and kissing them.  Tears rolled down my face as I watched the intimate encounters of faith, love, and devotion.  As I too stood before the 20' cross, I wrapped my arms around the cross, his feet, and legs.  I too kissed his feet as I looked upward into his face.

As I returned to my seat the people sang "Now We Remain," one of my favorite songs sung at the Carmelite Monastery for 18 years.  The lyrics speak of how we receive Jesus as bread and how when we eat and go out we become bread for others.  I thought of the cross and how each endearing moment of devotion was bread for the soul for all the others who witnessed the many acts of grace.  I let the tears flow in gratitude and thanksgiving.  For surely I had seen Jesus.

Blessed Lord,
your crucifixion
reminds us
of your
dramatic gift
of grace.
In some way
or another
we all
wind up
at the foot
of the cross
wondering what
to do.
But then
our faith
steps forward
and touches
the hem
of your garment
and you
heal us
with grace.
Blessings to you,
our beloved Lord.

Forever yours, Andrea