I approach holy week with excitement, a sigh and no little trepidation. Most things are prepared, not all things, but most. I will work through the holy week booklet with my smallish Anglican congregation. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we will meet in the church at 12 Noon followed by lunch in The Vicarage. We will say Mass each evening. On Maundy Thursday, in the morning, I will be with the Bishop in his Cathedral renewing my ordination vows. In the evening, we will again celebrate the Mass, and I will wash feet of those who wish. Then the church building will be stripped, and we will abandon Christ leaving the sacrament in the sanctuary. On Good Friday, we will hold a Three Hour Devotion from 12 Noon until 3:00pm. This, for me, will be a wonderful experience. That evening, we will join our RC friends on an ecumenical walk of witness. On Holy Saturday, we will have a service of light followed by the first Mass of Easter. Easter Day will be a glorious celebration.

For many of my congregation this will seem a little too much. For me it will be glorious. Standing in the place of Christ for a week will be exhausting, exhilarating, draining, restoring, harrowing and exciting.

It will go some way to compensate for the times when ministry appears shallow, and I am frustrated. Then I remember, Christ did the shallow things too… and I wonder whether I will ever fully be read for Holy Week.