In my church, Maundy (from the Latin mandatum meaning "mandate" or "command") Thursday is marked by a stripping of the altar. This is a symbolic remembrance of Christ's stripping and humiliation at the hands of the Roman soldiers. At the end of the service, we remove all ornamentation - paraments, banners, candles, the Bible, the processional cross, etc. - from the altar area of the sanctuary. As each item is removed, lights are turned off. Once all the items have been removed, our cross is draped with a black cloth, the only lights remaining are to light the cross. We're left to sit in silence, pondering Jesus suffering and humiliation.
Good Friday brings a Tenebrae (Latin for "darkness" or "of shadows") service. This service is a continuation of the Maundy Thursday service. It consists of a series of readings and further extinguishing of light - the light of a few candles. This gradual darkening symbolizes the flight of the disciples, the dark hatred of Jesus' enemies, the resentment of the world, and finally, Jesus utter isolation on the cross. At the end, we're left with a single lit candle - the Christ candle - pointing us ahead to a new dawn on Easter morning. Again, the service ends in silence with time for personal reflection and prayer - this time on Jesus' death.
And now we wait... As with the disciples in Jesus' day, we are left to ponder a life without Jesus. But we know His resurrection is just a day away. We place our faith in His overcoming death and escaping the tomb. As we wait, we pray. At my church we have a continuous prayer vigil - beginning after the Friday Tenebrae service and continuing until the Easter sunrise service. Members take shifts (30 minutes, an hour, perhaps more) praying in the sanctuary.
I've just returned from my turn at the prayer vigil - each year it is one of my most powerful experiences. Sitting or kneeling in a semi-dark sanctuary, the altar barren except for the draped cross, you are left alone at the foot of the cross to ponder what it means to you. Being quite tired, I found myself thinking of the disciples in the garden who could not stay awake a single hour while Jesus prayed. Physically, I remained awake, but mentally I could not. My mind drifted; I didn't seem to be able to focus. I thought of Jesus' death and then I thought of my family. I considered Jesus coming resurrection and then drifted off to work. I tried meditating on Psalm 46, verse 10 - "Be still and know that I am God." I read scripture in an attempt to regain my focus on God. But even as I read, my mind would drift. In the end, I was little different than the disciples; I just didn't seem able to fully focus for even one hour.
But perhaps something important happened in this mental drifting. Perhaps God was bringing to mind those with whom I need to share, those for whom I should pray. In its wandering, my mind thought of Christ and of others. I can't be sure whether God was directing my thoughts, but I can certainly follow through as I wait for Him.
Christ has died. And now we wait. For we know in a few short hours we will find an empty tomb. Christ will rise. And He will come again.
Gracious God - In this time of waiting we ponder all that you have done for us. You sacrificed your one and only Son on our behalf. He has died, but He overcomes death. Through His coming resurrection, we have the hope of eternal life. Send us your Holy Spirit so that as our minds wander, you might direct it toward those who need us most. Let us boldly share your good news with each person who comes to mind. We ask these things in the name of the one who is to rise, Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior. Amen.
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Note: Portions of this piece have been adapted from information in my church worship bulletins from this Holy Week.
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