My Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
As we stand on the precipice of what may be one of the most unusual of Paschal Triduum’s, I hope and pray that this finds you safe and healthy in your places of isolation. It seems such a strange way for we people of collective, unifying faith, to celebrate the most holy of holy events in our Judeo/Christian heritage. And yet, here we are, physically distancing ourselves, keeping ourselves from one-another, in the interest of the greater common good.
Even in the face of COVID-19, we cannot, and never cease to be the Body of Christ.
It is through our journey of the Triduum, this year’s in solitude, and yet still together, that we pursue, like Mary and all the others, the new again “Alleluia” of Easter Sunday morning. We know it will come. And it will be so much the sweeter because of this journey.
And so, sitting from our perches in our homes, let us strain our glance inward, as we seek and search for our God in the most usual, ordinary, mundane, even routine of places, the places we are so used to staring that we don’t even now see. Let us go looking to the innermost nooks and crannies of our hearts, and our souls, and our minds, and our spirits in search of the Christ light that burns eternal, not because of, but in spite of, all that happens in the world.
The journey that is planned for you begins tonight with Maundy Thursday and the Stripping of our Altars, and ventures through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, the Vigil Watch, ultimately to the Great Alleluia of Easter Day. I beg you not to short-change yourself of any of these experiential moments. The collection of each will add up to an “Alleluia” far greater than any other you might have!
If you have not already, please plan to join in by Zoom (e-mail christopher@thedoubter.org) for the following experiences:
- Maundy Thursday: 7 pm
- Good Friday: 7 pm
- Holy Saturday (morning): 10 am
As we continue our journey of the Paschal Triduum, an aspect of the liturgy that may be unfamiliar to Doubters is the Holy Saturday liturgy (BCP, p. 283). This is a brief, guided time of meditation as the “watch” for the crucified Christ continues. It will be led on Zoom by our very own Rev. Andy McCarthy. The same Zoom link and password that lets you in to the other Triduum services will allow you entry into this most special time with Fr. Andy as well! - Easter Vigil (Saturday evening): 8 pm
- Easter Sunday: 10 am
There are many (MANY) special aspects planned for each of these services to make them special. Your clergy team has spent many hours ensuring that they will be memorable experiences.
As we search for God in all these places, I am…
Yours faithfully,
Fr. Christopher+
