Tonight is the third of the three sacred days. All day the Church has been a hub of activity with the brass and silver polished, Easter lilies arriving, cleaning and primping and priming for tonight’s service.
The decoupage stone has been placed in front of the closed doors to the worship space. The tomb stays closed until tomorrow morning.
Tonight we begin our service downstairs where new fire will be kindled outside. The paschal candle will be lit and the Exhultet sung. Then we will hear three stories, sing three songs and pray three prayers.
We will then move into the Gathering Space where we will see the font ready for the renewal of baptism vows. We get as far as the door of the tomb tonight, but we will not enter until tomorrow as we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord.
This service usually fills me with excitement and anticipation. Yet this year I feel emptiness, and a feeling of anxiety that is close to dread. I worry about the service, but moreso I worry about the congregation. One of my parishioners is palliative. We had a visit today to talk about his memorial service and while it was a good visit, marked with laughter and tears, I wonder how many more we will have to say goodbye to this year?
It is the strength we have, knowing that the promise of the resurrection is real that keeps me from complete madness. And yet tonight, as the sun sets and it grows cold, I know there are many who are not with us due to illness or exhaustion. And those who have left this life for the next will be with us, in the company of saints and angels which surround us.
So tonight, I pray to God, be present with us in our stillness and in our suffering. In our hopes and in our joys. In our wishes and in our realities, knowing that all we do is to your glory, and all we see is in your will.
Barefoot Bellringing 
Leave a Reply