Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Triduum Reflection

40 days in the "desert"...

Abstained from beef, crab and high cholesterol food such as laksa.
Have been successful with the first two but failed for the last.
Abstained from several temptations...I would say at least 60% successful.
Felt much better in self-control now.
Began my morning devotion at work...really liked it.
And even bought a new handy bible to accompany the WAU reflections.
Scripture reading and reflection can really do wonders.
Shall try to continue to keep this routine.
Passed my ippt during this period after some arduous training.
Had to wake up early to go for an early run.
Again, morning runs seemed to have some magical feel to it.
Shall try to keep this up - at least once a week.

Holy Thursday
Reached work before 8am.
Got myself quickly settled down and began the scriptural readings.
It was on Jesus washing the disciples feet. For some strange reasons, the WAU reflection penetrated my heart and I uncontrollably teared. (in office!!unimaginable..luckily no one around yet)
"..rather than spend these final few hours focusing on his own life, he went out of his way to show his disciples how deeply he loved them...words can be forgotten all too easily. So he chose a prophetic gesture that would make a deep impression on them...an act that would be forever etched in the disciples' memories as proof of his love..."
Indeed, again..Holy Thurs and Good Fri are not solely on weeping for the suffering of Jesus or our own sins...it's really a poignant reminder of how much God loved us. The love that no one can give.
5.45pm. Dashed out of office.
Reached Good Shepherd Cathedral to attend the Mass. Church filling up very fast. Managed to secure a good seat. The cathedral choir sang for the Mass! While they rehearse the hymns as I pray and prepare myself, I was again touched and felt the love that he has showered upon me all these while. Was choked with impending tears while singing the entrance hymn...Glory in the Cross.
7.50pm. Mass ended. Rushed to Tanglin Club for my office team dinner. Boss's treat to reward our team's architects hard work so far and also farewell to 2 colleagues. One going to study for one year, one moving on to another firm. A very filling, fine-dining style 3 course meal. Light-hearted meal with much laughter.
10.30pm. Waited 20mins & couldn't called a cab. Took bus to CCK and cabbed to SFA. 11.30pm. Reached SFA. The final prayer group just ended. Great. Alas there would be silence for the last 30mins in front of the Altar of Repose. Just want to spend some time with him.
12MN. Went for "last supper" with some of my Young Adults at Macs. Fellowship.
2AM. Slept.
(my gosh...why am I writing all these details down?...oh well...who cares, I just wanna document down this moments...in case one day I got dementia or something. lol)

Good Friday
Tried to clear some church work in the morning...
Decided to attend 3pm service at SMOTA. Dropped parents off at SFA first.
Then rushed to SMOTA...my gosh...so packed that me and my sis have to sit outside under a tentage! Was hot initally, then as "prophesised", it rained halfway through the service.
Good thing is I get to go back for a nap first.
8pm to 11pm. Rehearsal in church for Easter Vigil.
Home sweet home. Today not too emotional.

Holy Saturday
Dragged myself outta bed and went to take part in the Cenacle Sisters morning prayer at the chapel. It was a good...with chanting of the lamentations. Nimmi and Lilian were there too. Yay. Then managed to go for a quick swim and getting a good dose of vitamin D which I'm quite deprived of.
Then subsequently, from 3pm onwards...it's music music all the way till Vigil.
This time our choir reached another milestone again to push our musicality to another level.
And the double bass!!...simply made our day.

Easter Sunday
The Easter Sequence..something which I always practised very hard for.
Prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide my singing...and yes..His guiding hand (or voice) was with me as I proclaimed and sing the Sequence.
Our music and singing were much appreciated and affirmed by many.
It was good to bring them this much joy.
Happy feasting and fellowshipping over sumptuous dim sum lunch at Pioneer Wharf Restnt.

Eventful 4 days which totally spin me out of my "working mode"...
now have to spin myself back. Seems like a lot of "doing" then being more reflective and meditative...but still...I shall rmb the Easter message and all that i've learnt and gained over the 40 days to bring it to work and practise them!

Have I risen to New Life with Him?
Shall write back in a few weeks time.

Blessed Easter.