Rector's Reflections
The Triduum. I write this
reflection as much “behind the scenes” work in preparation for Holy Week is
taking place. My thanks to all who are, or soon will be, at work to insure
that our Holy Week services are rich, meaningful and Spirit-filled.
I sincerely hope that you will commit
yourself to attending and participating in all Holy Week services (the
schedule of services is found on the cover page of this edition of The Cross
and Crown). Of particular importance to our Christian faith is the Triduum.
It is the central part of the Easter cycle, and refers to the period
beginning with sundown on Maundy Thursday and extending until sundown on
Easter. Thus, the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, the Good Friday liturgy, the
Holy Saturday Word liturgy, the Great Vigil of Easter and the services on
Easter Day together are included in the Triduum.
Please note that the Triduum is not composed of separate or distinct
historical events; rather, it is one three-day long event celebrating one
saving dynamic. As James Farwell writes, “The liturgies of the Paschal
Triduum are the point in Christian ritual practice where the readiness of
Christian faith to face human suffering squarely, and to find God working in
and through suffering, is simultaneously most in evidence and most easily
obscured . . . . The resurrection is celebrated not as a moment ‘after’
suffering and separate from it, but as a mystery born in and of suffering.”
Thus, the liturgy engages us from Thursday until Sunday in a unified act
(for instance, no dismissal occurs at the end of the Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday or Holy Saturday services); what happens on Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday, Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil is a continuous story as we
experience the cross and the resurrection.
To help you better understand the purpose and power of the Triduum, we will
provide one service booklet which will contain the order of worship for
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the Great Vigil of Easter
with brief explanatory notes about important points of each service. Join us
as you are able.
Rector’s Forum — A Look Ahead. Given the incredible social,
cultural, political, scientific, technological, economic and religious
changes that are occurring around us every day, have you ever wondered what
the Christian faith will look like 10, 50 or 100 years from now? Beginning
April 19 (and extending through May 17), and using Phyllis Tickle’s recently
published book, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why
(and other works) as resources, I will offer a framework for analyzing this
question.
Phyllis was the presenter at the October, 2008 Clergy Conference held at
Gray Center where she offered a stimulating assessment of the current state
of Christianity in 21st Century North America and of the direction in which
she believes it may be heading. Starting with the premise that “about every
five hundred years the Church feels compelled to hold a giant rummage sale,”
Tickle answers three questions in her book: what is the Great Emergence; how
it came to be; and where is it going. The impact of the Great Emergence on
issues of authority, the interpretation of scripture, and ecclesial
traditions (among others) will be examined during this five week
presentation.
It’s not necessary to read the book to attend or participate in the Rector’s
Forum. Just
come when you are able and with a willingness to explore and engage!
Shalom,
Paul
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