Thursday, April 9, 2009

Today will be a long one. This afternoon I experience a retreat for the school children and St. Mary's. It's my favorite way to prepare for the Triduum.

I didn't post yesterday for various reasons, mostly because I just couldn't make myself. In addition to Holy Week, our taxes are looming over our heads. They aren't done and I don't have time to deal with them this week. Sometimes things just get to me. I try to be organized and get things in order, but it seems the more I try to organize, the less organized I am.

This morning, before I leave for church, I am going to get things picked up. When the house isn't too bad, my inner chaos is easier to deal with.

Yesterday I tried a new wax. It seems to be fine. It gets rave reviews. The wax I used to get was really nice, but I am reading some disturbing reviews on declining quality. I haven't had a problem, but I can't afford to get a bad batch. The company will not take it back. So I have switched allegiance and have moved to another company. I made a batch of Berry Pickin' candles. I am testing one now. It seems to be great.

Once I get the taxes out of the way, I am going to have to hyper focus on getting everything ready for the Shepherd Maple Syrup festival.
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Word of the day:
Holy Thursday - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Gospel
Jn 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
"Master, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later."
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him,
"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."
Simon Peter said to him,
"Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
Jesus said to him,
"Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all."
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."

So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another's feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

Thoughts from the cornfield:
Tonight begins the Sacred Triduum - the holiest 3 days in the Church year. Tonight we celebrate the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. Tomorrow we remember the death of our Lord, Saturday we celebrate the Vigil of Easter and welcome the catechumens and candidates into full communion in the Church. And Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection - our cause for hope and joy! My prayer for today is that I can get my inner self in order so that I can enter into the experience.


God bless our troops!

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