Wait with Me . . .
Holy Thursday
The sweet smell of incense fills the church as I follow behind the procession. Yet another Holy Thursday, another night to wait in vigil. Strains of the Latin hymn still resound in my head as I take up my place in the small improvised chapel. An hour is such a short amount of time in the larger scheme of history, and yet such a long period when spent waiting.
I wonder, when will my time be up? How long is enough? Is an hour enough? Twenty minutes? Ten? My mind wanders to the work that awaits me, both at home and tomorrow at work. Can I really afford to spend this time here? Can I afford not to spend this time?
A few hours, that’s all Jesus asked of his friends, and yet not one of them were able to stay awake. Am I that different from them? I begrudge this small amount of time spent with the friend who gave everything for me.
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41
This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year. click here to follow blog
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