Seven whole days

I love reading the Pilgrimage of Egeria. For those who have not yet encountered this fantastic work, it’s the journal of a fourth-century woman who visited Jerusalem. It’s chock full of vivid descriptions of liturgies and sites, especially the celebration of Holy Week.

I remember back when I read it the first time. When I got to one part, I was greatly amused/horrified. She describes the Good Friday rituals, including the veneration of a portion of the True Cross. When the True Cross is exposed for veneration, deacons keep careful watch over it.

It is guarded thus because the custom is that the people, both faithful and catechumens, come one by one and, bowing down at the table, kiss the sacred wood and pass through. And because, I know not when, some one is said to have bitten off and stolen a portion of the sacred wood, it is thus guarded by the deacons who stand around, lest any one approaching should venture to do so again.

Got that? Someone had tried to take a bite of the True Cross. If only Egeria were here today, she’d see this ghastly idea has not gone away. But now people want their cross to be True Chocolate.

Read more »

We are just one day away from the Triduum Sacrum. Buckle up and hang on tight…

Lord, through this holy week of our salvation,
Which Thou hast won for us who went astray,
In all the conflict of Thy sore temptation,
We would continue with Thee day by day.

We would not leave Thee, though our weak endurance
Make us unworthy here to take our part;
Yet give us strength to trust the sweet assurance
That Thou, O Lord, art greater than our heart.

Thou didst forgive Thine own who slept for sorrow,
Thou didst have pity, O have pity now,
And let us watch through each sad eve and morrow
With Thee, in holy prayer and solemn vow.

Read more »

In case you need to do some calculating during Holy Week, I don’t want you to have to look far for the right tool. Also, if you were looking for proof that you can find about anything you want on the interwebs, here you go. Enjoy.

Birthday trivia calculator. Add or subtract date calculator. Age on other worlds calculator. Anniversary calculator. Cadaver value calculator.Tire size calculator. Mortgage calculator. Calorie calculator. Download time calculator. Bandwidth calculator. Exposure calculator. Depth of field calculator. RGB calculator. Em calculator. Grid calculator. Golden ratio calculator. Murphy’s Law calculator. Death by caffeine calculator. How to use Google calculator.

From the good people at Metafilter.

The weather we’re having in Rhode Island is fit for ducks. This has caused me to think of duct (“duck”) tape, which brings us to this wondrous collection of intricate designs made of duct tape. Before you move on to the collection, you might like to visit this authoritative source on the “duct tape vs. duck tape” controversy.

Due to the increasing array of duct tape colors and options, artists now have a dazzling palette from which to choose. Last time I was looking for duct tape in Target, they had perhaps 10 colors, including PURPLE PLAID. I tried desperately to think of a use for this, but was unable to do so. It was purple, which is timely for Lent but the plaid was a bit too festive.

Anyway, check out these photos of duct tape designs. Perhaps this will inspire your inner artiste.

This has a little to do with the readings, but more to do with a prayer for courage to walk in the way of the cross. I’ve also chosen this one mindful of the fact that I’ll be at our cathedral this morning attending the annual chrism mass at which we clergy renew our ordination vows. I can’t think of a better prayer for clergy than the final couplet in the text: “May our souls in hope unweary / make Thy work our ceaseless prayer.”

Father, hear the prayer we offer:
Nor for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength, that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not forever in green pastures
Do we ask our way to be,
But the steep and rugged pathway
May we tread rejoicingly.

Not forever by still waters
Would we idly, quiet stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Read more »

The mysteries of Holy Week are many, deep, and wide. Who could fathom them? While I won’t claim to have them figured out, I’m pretty sure that it is not about getting a bargain.

From the FAIL Blog. By the way, I took a more serious look at the meaning of Holy Week in my Palm Sunday sermon, if you are interested in that sort of thing.

This hymn is not especially tied to the readings for today, but it still seems fitting as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Triduum Sacrum and as we contemplate the mighty acts which brought our salvation.

O thou, who through this holy week,
didst suffer for us all,
the sick to cure, the lost to seek,
to raise up them that fall.

We cannot understand the woe
thy love was pleased to bear:
O Lamb of God, we only know
that all our hopes are there.

Thy feet the path of suffering trod,
thy hand the victory won:
what shall we render to our God
for all that he hath done?

Read more »

Just what it sounds like. I couldn’t think of a clever connection with Monday in Holy Week (perhaps the eighth verse of the appointed psalm?). Bonus points if you can make the tie-in.

Check out the whole collection. Or, for that matter, this one is even better. Amazing.

Readers of 7WD will know that we had a vested interest in the outcome of Lent Madness. We were thrilled to see George Herbert squeak past Julian of Norwich for the Golden Halo Award and the “Holier Than Thou” title. Blogging friend Bob Chapman suggested this video as a potential postgame show. The text is fantastic and the overly dramatic reading is ideal. But I think this one is even better. After all, how often do you get to watch George Herbert himself read his own poem?

The Archbishop of Canterbury offers a superb meditation on Holy Week. This is from 2008, but the material is still fresh.

Wave of the palm to Santos Woodcarving Popsicles.

UPDATE: A short while ago, Julian conceded the contest, as George managed to keep a small lead in the final hours of the polling. Details here.

This will be my final post in a series promoting the cause of Blessed George Herbert. No, I’m not pushing him for official canonization. As most 7WD readers will know, I’ve been rallying support for George in Lent Madness. This is the creation of my friend Fr. Tim Schenck, who is apparently using this to fund his curate’s position. (There’s not a shred of truth to that, but it’s a fun rumor — which you can help to spread.)

Anyway, George has made it all the way to the finals. Now he’s pitted against Julian of Norwich for the coveted Golden Halo. To be honest, I didn’t think George had a chance. The force is strong in Julian. However, as I write this, George has a slight edge (52-48). So I figured I might weigh in on why I like George Herbert.

Read more »

No, this is not a romantic love poem. It’s God stuff. What else could one post on Palm Sunday afternoon?

LOve bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
            Guiltie of dust and sinne.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack
            From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
            If I lack’d any thing.

A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here:
            Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,
            I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
            Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame
            Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?
            My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:
            So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert, The Temple (1633)

So go vote for George!