Passiontide - Rector's Rambling for March 17, 2024

Today we go yet another step deeper in our preparations for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Back during the -gesima Sundays, we switched to purple vestments and hangings and lost the “alleluia” in the liturgy.  When Lent arrived, the flowers disappeared (except for Lætáre Sunday last week) as did the white surplices on the servers and choir.

Now we go deeper with the beginning of Passiontide, as we veil the crosses in the church, and see the “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost” suppressed in our increasing Lenten discipline.  And when we get to the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday), the liturgy gets even more stark on those days.

Why?  “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi” is a statement that what we pray is what we believe (literally “the Law of Prayer is the Law of Belief).  Our corporate worship, particularly the Daily Offices of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, as well as the Holy Communion, helps us to express what we believe.  And yet in Lent we strip things back as a tangible reminder that soon we will be looking at the sublime reminder of the painful price Jesus Christ paid on the cross for our salvation.

During these two weeks I hope that we all will take the time to begin to meditate on what Jesus Christ did for us on the Cross.  Just as we do Stations of the Cross on Friday at noon, you can also read the various passion narratives in the four gospels and think deeply upon the offering Jesus made of himself.

Also, now is the time to make sure you have marked on your calendars the important worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Day, and to make sure nothing prevents you from joining us for worship on those days.

And you should also be inviting your friends and family to join us for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Services.  Those who are not regular church attenders generally look for a church to attend on these important days.  You may be the vehicle God will use to draw others closer to Him, and in an active relationship, just by your invitation to others to join us for worship!