A little child shall lead her...
Pascha has arrived, and this year with beautiful, glorious weather! A little on the warm side for so early in April, but so much better than the gloomy rain we had last year. The tulip cherry and pear trees are now leafing out just in time for the dogwoods (my favorite flowering tree) to come into bloom.
Pascha was a little different for me this year, gorgeous explosion of blooming trees aside. For the first time since becoming an Orthodox Christian, I attended all of the Holy Week services our parish offers. I can’t really brag about it, because it wasn’t my idea.
The kids were on spring break last week and I needed to work the first three days and then planned to take off Thursday, Friday and Monday. Since my students were also on break, I could bring in the kids to work with me, but I had so much to do they could only come for one day. Jim was slammed with work, and behind on deadlines and so on Sunday and Monday evenings, he kept to a pretty crazy, go to bed at 6PM, wake up and work starting at 12AM schedule in order to get as much as possible accomplished before his Mr. Mom duties began.
Fortunately, there was church. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we have the beautiful Bridegroom Matins services. I had to chant on Monday, but the kids are generally pretty well behaved in church now (except when David stands next to the candle stand and I am just sure that he will find some way to tip the whole thing over), so I made plans to attend the Sunday service and bring the kids with me on Monday night. This would keep the house quiet enough for Jim to (hopefully) get some decent sleep. When took off our shoes and tip toed into the house upon returning. It was actually kind of fun.
Tuesday night, I planned to take “off” from church. I figured we’d need a bit of a break, especially since the Holy Week services sort of intensify, for lack of a better word, as the week continues. However, David all but begged to go to church. “You really want to go to church?” I asked. “Yes, Mommy, I really want to go.” So, off he and I went. Ana and Jim stayed home.
So, because of my little boy (who wants to be a “monk that’s a priest”…his words) I attended all of the Holy Week services this year. And it is interesting how one can truly enter into the experience Christ’s passion. I found myself anticipating, not necessarily looking forward to, but anticipating like an expectant mother almost, the next service. A sort of rhythm began to take hold in my body, mind of soul…I needed to go to the next service in the same way one’s foot automatically taps out the beat to a well played song. The Alleluias of Bridegroom Matins almost became our theme song. We sang them in the car, on the couch and even outside.
The Paschal service itself is usually quite difficult for me. I am an avowed morning person, so going to Church at 11:30 PM does not suit my body’s circadian rhythms. Usually I am overly tired, sore and just basically ready for the whole experience to be over with. But this year, I managed to stand for most of the service and felt serenely joyous throughout. I don’t know if this is the result of attending all the preparatory services ahead of time, or some inward change that I haven’t figured out yet, or perhaps my body internalized the upside down schedule we practice during Holy Week (morning services in the evening and vice versa) or some combination of all of them…but Pascha was a little different for me this year.
I’m glad I followed my little child.
Blessings and Christ is Risen!!
Church, Kids, Spiritual Life
Reader Comments (3)
Truly He is Risen!
What a blessing to read; thank you for sharing. I too found myself, through attending most of the Holy Week services, entering into that expectant rhythm you so wondrously describe. And what a joy, though I feel the tiredness with you, for your want-to-be-a-monk-who-is-a-priest [love the phrase] to lead you to such a blessing.
Prayers for this Paschal season for you and your family, and I pray Jim's schedule clams down and blessings as you return to work [how long is spring break?]
What a blessing indeed!
Christ is Risen!
Thanks, y'all! A blessed Paschal season to you both!!