remembering (anamnesis)

last week sunday i heard chanted the story of Jesus' betrayal and death (taken from the gospel of Matthew). the chanting ended at the tomb being sealed. somehow i had forgotten that this was part of the Palm Sunday service - which surprised me since it is my favourite part. by hearing the gospel story chanted, i hear it new.

on Good Friday, i attended a Tenebrae service. we had a number of readings from the gospels that re-told Jesus' betrayal, sentencing, and death. after each reading, we'd blow out a candle (and turn the lights down a bit more). we'd also sing a song of response, which were songs i knew and loved. by the end, the church was nearly dark and we left in silence, remembering Jesus' death.

and today (Easter), we celebrated that the story does not end with Jesus' death and the sealing of the tomb. Christ is risen!!! during Easter service today, we watched a short part of the dvd of the Gospel of John. Thomas says that unless he touches Jesus' hands and sides, he cannot believe that Jesus is alive. And i had always heard the words of Thomas as bad, as being filled with doubt and unbelief. But today, hearing Thomas's declaration that he cannot believe, I saw something beautiful in his words: their honest acknowledgment of the crazy impossibility of Jesus rising from the dead. We, who have heard the story so often, can easily forget how astonishing it is. We forget the anguish of the death, the helplessness on the Saturday, and how disturbing the empty tomb must have been. and i see the gospel anew in Thomas's response to Jesus of delighted astonishment and complete and utter devotion when he sees that the impossible (and more than he ever hoped for) is true (and that not only has Jesus risen but he is inviting Thomas to touch his wounds).

and through all these services, celebrating in different ways with different people each time, i remembered Jesus' death and resurrection. i was brought back to the words of the Bible, and i heard and saw the words of the gospel anew. and the wonder of Easter fills my heart with joy!!