Tertullian, St. Ambrose, Blandina....! Oh, my aching head.
Heading back to seminary this afternoon and that Church History exam on Tuesday. Not much of a break, well not the kind I had envisioned. I was hoping for, planning for extra sleep (did get that!), relaxing days reading for pleasure, or going shopping, or just hanging around doing nothing useful. The good part is that we didn't have to go to class, so, it was less work. That in itself helped. And there was plenty of time to study for the test, which was also good.
We watched the Tales of Narnia last night...we have the CD. I cannot get over how great a job they did with that film. So much of it is just the way I imgained it to be. Great stuff, but then C. S. Lewis rarely lets you down. He is one of those people I would have liked to have met. I have met Desmond Tutu, a couple of years ago. What a fabulous man. He is so small in stature, but his spirit fills a room, and you feel his holiness. I believe that I have had the honor and blessing of meeting a saint.
Holy Week is fast approaching. I love Holy Week. Each one of the services of the Week draws you in and makes you a part of it all. I know that once the altar is stripped on Maundy Thursday I will be left with that lonely feeling that lasts through Good Friday, and I will be awaiting the Vigil, awaiting the empty Tomb. Intellectually I know that Jesus lives, that we are not alone and without him despite how I am feeling. But my spirit, my soul (let's not do philosophy here, I must now agree with Tertullian!) are left feeling so alone and without the Lord. That, of course, only intensifies the joy of the Vigil. He is Risen! Today those are important words, yes, but then I will feel them with every fiber of my being. That is the blessing of Holy Week. I am almost afraid to imagine what it will be like to be the priest celebrating, washing feet, proclaiming that He is Risen.