(standing next to me on tippy toes, all in whispers...)
"Mommy, what is he doing?"
"He's using incense."
"Why?"
"Because it is supposed to remind us that this is a solemn, sacred time."
"Mommy, why are they ringing bells?"
"Because we are singing The Gloria for the first time in Lent, and it is supposed to get us excited about Easter."
"Mommy. why are they speaking in spanish now?"
"Because tonight we celebrate Holy Thursday together, the Spanish and English speaking people."
"Mommy, what is that clinking noise?"
"It is supposed to remind us of the nails that pierced Jesus."
"Mommy, that's alot of priests!"
(My thoughts: Beautiful, set apart for him, consecrated, with the power to consecrate the bread and wine...)
"Mommy, do you think Jesus was baptizing them when he washed their feet?"
"He was teaching them what it would mean to be a priest, that they must become a servant to everyone."
"Mommy, why are they walking with Jesus and that tent?"
"Because they are taking Jesus out of the church to remind us that his passion begins tonight. and Jesus is a special king, so he gets a special tent."
(As we kneel to pray and "wait" with the Lord....)
5 yr. old: "Mommy, I'm tired of saying "Jesus I love you." I'm hungry and tired."
"Me too, baby, we are almost done."
And so it was in the garden of Gethsemane, over 2000 years ago.
"Mommy, what is he doing?"
"He's using incense."
"Why?"
"Because it is supposed to remind us that this is a solemn, sacred time."
"Mommy, why are they ringing bells?"
"Because we are singing The Gloria for the first time in Lent, and it is supposed to get us excited about Easter."
"Mommy. why are they speaking in spanish now?"
"Because tonight we celebrate Holy Thursday together, the Spanish and English speaking people."
"Mommy, what is that clinking noise?"
"It is supposed to remind us of the nails that pierced Jesus."
"Mommy, that's alot of priests!"
(My thoughts: Beautiful, set apart for him, consecrated, with the power to consecrate the bread and wine...)
"Mommy, do you think Jesus was baptizing them when he washed their feet?"
"He was teaching them what it would mean to be a priest, that they must become a servant to everyone."
"Mommy, why are they walking with Jesus and that tent?"
"Because they are taking Jesus out of the church to remind us that his passion begins tonight. and Jesus is a special king, so he gets a special tent."
(As we kneel to pray and "wait" with the Lord....)
5 yr. old: "Mommy, I'm tired of saying "Jesus I love you." I'm hungry and tired."
"Me too, baby, we are almost done."
And so it was in the garden of Gethsemane, over 2000 years ago.
If the 5 year old didn't perfectly sum up what it means to be striving for holiness with our fallen nature, then I don't think anyone can.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so sweet! What a beautiful and precious memory. I loved your entry for the Veneration of the Cross too. How beautifully innocent are our children! I love moments like this.
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