Holy Thursday

The Last Supper

Creating an altar of repose began the evening following a procession to the basement of the church. Processing later toward the same area after the Mass of Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) we were offered the ability to linger for a time of adoration before bidding the evening adieu.

A remarkable reverence, followed by hushed tones was notable from where I was kneeling. One wanted to remain still for a long while in such a peaceful spot.


I've shared with your before, long before the season of Lent began, about our family puzzle challenge gifted to us from our oldest daughter this past Christmas.

The grand feat of accomplishing this 1000 piece puzzle didn't seem to faze any of us here, that is until it all became much more difficult than any of us ever anticipated!


Determination set in and all began to roll up our sleeves to see this project complete. If you can only focus for one minute on the tablecloth and nothing else, try to notice how many colors and patterns there are for that item alone. Mind boggling!

There is a lesson for everyone and much to say about making a puzzle entailing that of a religious scene. It is likened to a prayerful act, observing and noticing facial expressions, body positions and the depth of the moments represented within such a profoundly historical and religious scene as this one below.


For instance, while working on the face of Jesus, one could begin to explore the loving and yet extremely thought provoking expression as He began pondering no doubt what He knew was about to occur this night.

We all know the end of this story, at least what transpired from this final and last supper between Jesus and his Apostles. This same scene was the institution of the Mass as we know it today, and the evening when his apostles became priests.

What a challenging puzzle is right!


What began as a simple project turned out to be quite complex. In fact as we've not ever encountered a brand new puzzle before that ended with several duplicate pieces once complete. A few extra feet and toes, weird things of that nature....weird is right, but maybe just in case we misplaced one along the way? grin...

Thank you to our daughter, it was one very wonderful and thoughtful challenge for all, something long lasting and very tangible to remain as a reminder on the dining room table, still there today after our return from the west (believe it or not as no one wanted it to be dismantled yet).

John 13: 4-17

On Holy Thursday last week, we were able to observe a reenactment of the priest washing the feet of twelve chosen men from the parish, those who would represent the twelve apostles. One of those men was my own father.

Shortly beforehand, the priest gave a simple and yet very profound sermon leaving a silence in the air where one could hear a pin drop, if one solitary bit dared to descend toward the floor.

All in the pews, including the many children present, were fully absorbed in the lesson of the day, imaginations whet by the mental picture from the explanation over what this duty meant during those historical times, a customary act most often performed by a servant to cleanse the feet of all guests entering for a visit inside the home.

It was a common gesture expected by the host's servants, and no one dared stoop so low as to volunteer for such a position if one wasn't around. But HE did. Yes, Jesus did in fact do this himself, and all were greatly humbled by his willingness to perform such an act, like St. Peter for instance. (John: 13: 8-9)

Palm Sunday to Good Friday

in pictures and scripture...

Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!
O King of Isreal!
Hosanna in the highest!

~ Matt. 21:9

... When the people had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet Him, and the children cried aloud, saying: This is He that was to come for the salvation of the people... Hail King, Creator of the world, Who hast come to redeem us!

~ John 12, 13

Flectamus genua

(Let us kneel)

... And taking bread, He gave thanks, and broke, and gave to them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: Do this for a commemoration of me.

In like manner the chalice also, after He had supped saying, This is the chalice, the New Testament in My blood, which shall be shed for You.


~ Luke 22: 19,20

... In the name of Jesus let every knee bow, of things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: for the Lord became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: therefore the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

~ Phil. 2: 10 8:11

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John....

~ John 18, 1-40; 19, 1-42

My Lord and My God!

Housekeeping note...

I figured out how to turn off comments on just one post (duh), so now have the comment section turned back on, just an FYI for whoever might find it useful. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Blessings;
Renee

EIGHT is GREAT!

(just bumping this up because I realized I forgot one photo, now uploaded with everyone else present for the photo happenings.)

Easter Sunday with our family.

Yes, we flew west for a period of time. The six of us here were able to get away for the sole purpose of reuniting with the rest of the gang and both sets of parents over in the Vancouver area.

We had a new grandbaby to meet, and my husband was informed he would not have to enter for his upcoming respiratory rehabilitation hospital stay now, most likely until the summertime, so off we went, on a whim, and all worked out very well indeed.

Our four youngest children, the ones living with us here in the east had not traveled back to their birth area for over two years, and when an opportunity arose to make it happen, my fingers did the walking and the airmiles made it all possible.

"Whirlwind" - best describes our days but we wouldn't trade our memory building moments while walking western grounds out there for anything!

Time completely escapes us when able to plunge deeply into the ever-emotional midst of warm embraces, gentle hugs, sweet mushy kisses and yes - even when surrounded by screaming grandbabies who wondered who we are for a time.

Family - an incredible blessing.

We are family, we are.

We will allows look forward to a "regrouping and a rekindle" of what first began as a nucleus of two very humbled and blessed parents with our eight children, those forming this family in the first place.

In essence, we live and breathe for these times when all are afforded precious time to come together again, whenever possible, however possible. We'll take whatever we can get. :)


Our eight children together at one time, first time in three years.


How difficult it becomes to gather everyone for a few photos... but once this session first began, all were motivated to update a few fab oldies to more current ones.

How fun it was, especially to see them all manage to form their pyramid once more.

Note the bottom row...brave but cringing with the weight upon them.


And, waiting in the wings were other family members, some though were not present for this photo below;

Palm Sunday Pancakes

Having arrived in Vancouver four days prior to my husband and one son, the rest of us decided to roll with the flow, having no set agenda for the most part beforehand.

Late Saturday afternoon after visiting our post surgery daughter, she offered a suggestion that we should all invade our oldest son's home (pending permission naturally), porting along food goods to create a very simplistic meal after mass, the main intention to gather and visit together would be the highlight and goal.

Pancakes, Waffles, Eggs and juice were to be the order of the afternoon, which meant everyone shared supply gathering for the meal. I was in charge of the pancake supplies while others ran out for eggs, juice or other staples, coffee included (and boy did I need coffee!).


All hands on deck in our son's kitchen, everyone gathering on the spur of the moment after mass, my parents included.

It was time to relax and recover from the previous days' time zone changes and celebrate the day - Palm Sunday. It was also a time to unwind before having to pick up the rest of our family at the airport later this night.


Our oldest son began to roll up his sleeves and rev up his waffle maker, others of course offering their assistance around him.

It was quite rewarding to note his attention to the meal preparation at hand because when younger while still living at home, meal making was his least enjoyable activity. :) I loved observing the pay off from those early year teachings in action. Love you son - so proud of YOU for making more than a whole chicken in my oven roaster (snicker)!


As per a usual fun acknowledgment, there were back to back head/height comparisons between brothers and also between my father and our sons. Fun!


Our daughter who was still recovering post surgery had endured a tough night the evening before, her medication not performing well for her and seemingly making her ill. She was a good sport though, eventually needing to nod off for a time while everyone gathered round later on to watch a movie together. Actually there were many eyes beginning to close about then.


By early evening, all were sacked and eventually it was time to leave. Our son and his wife graciously offered to pick up his father and brother from the airport, allowing the rest of us to chill out back in our lodgings.

First and foremost though was the discovery by our youngest daughter, that of her older brother's toy (grin) the one that fast became quite fascinating to her.

A Light Saver!

Wow, and don't be kidded about this being an actual toy, for it is an adult gadget recreated to make authentic noises when moving it about, or first pressing the button to make the lite part shoot out ever so quickly and brighten up for usage.

Oh yea, this thing was quite something alright, quite a mimic of a real one seen in movies!

Cool!