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The wood which carried the light



 At the epiclesis on Tuesday, the 3 knocks of wood against wood sounded. It was all I could think about during most of Good Friday's liturgy. The wood on which hung the salvation of the world. After the last supper, Christ dies...on wood. Walking in the sanctuary, it is eerie full of void. It is dark and depressing seeing the door of the tabernacle held open with no life inside. That's what I narrated in front of...an empty tabernacle.
    Knowing Christ is risen is something that gives us hope during this most holy day. Knowing that the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again is ever hopeful while we stare at the shrouded crucifix and bare altar. Humans need hope in darkness. We need light in despair. We get none of that this day. We must wait. We must wait as Christ waited in the grave.
    But, then comes Holy Saturday. The day on which "Christ our Light" enters into our world and brings us the hope and light we so desperately desire. The hope and light we can't live without comes to us in resurrection form represented as the baptismal candle which is carried--lighting up the darkness. We are flooded. We are flooded with rememberance of God's holy work in our lives, and we listen to the tradition of out faith. Until...we get to his empty tomb.
    Do you know why I love this week so much? Because, when I go through the year and I attend Mass on a regular basis...sometimes I don't feel the presence of God. Sometimes, I don't "get" it. But, at some point during this week, I always get it. If only for a glimpse. My brother told me that glimpse is worth the dryness. That glimpse is worth the desert of lent. That glimpse is sustainable.
   
    This year...was my first as RCIA director. How long the process seemed, and how much desert I seemed to walk through. But, it was an honor to experience it from this angle. Next year, I see a more glorious journey. Those who were walking beside me through the journey: I thank you. Those of you were dragging me through the journey: I thank you. Those of you who were watching me through the journey: I thank you. Those of you praying me through the journey: I thank you. It has been an honor. And, I am blessed beyond measure.

Be blessed as I have been blessed. Happy Easter!
-Aly

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