It is Good Friday morning and as I left my experience of the garden last night, I began to think about our call to abstinence as we journey through this anniversary of the most sacred sacrifice of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I felt the impetus to record a bit of my journey here. This is one of the days when we are left with the decision to fast, as we recall the walk that Jesus took with his Cross.
Last night marked the beginning of a three day celebration of our Paschal Triduum. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is a very powerful event and leaves me, very routinely, full of gratitude and awe. There are several rituals that take place…the presentation of the Holy oils that were blessed at the Chrism Mass, the washing of the feet, the celebration of the Eucharistic feast and the reposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Adoration that continues until midnight.
Before heading out to the off leash park, I sat and listened to Father Jerome’s homily of last evening, 2 Gifts: Priesthood and Eucharist. I also listened to Father Christino’s homily Do You Know What I Have Done To You?.
Painting by Ford Maddox Brown 1852-1856
“This picture illustrates the biblical story of Christ washing his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. It has an unusually low viewpoint and compressed space. Critics objected to the picture’s coarseness – it originally depicted Jesus only semi-clad. This caused an outcry when it was first exhibited and it remained unsold for several years until Ford Madox Brown reworked the figure in robes. Brown was never invited to join the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood but he was a close associate of the group. Several members modelled for the disciples in this picture and the critic F G Stephens sat for Christ.”