Waiting with Jesus

Last Thursday evening, following the completion of the Maundy Thursday service, Joe and I solemnly carried the wine and bread left from the Holy Eucharist into the chapel. We sat the elements down upon the stripped altar and took seats to begin our watch with Jesus. There upon the cold hard marble sat the Body and Blood of our Lord in Jesus' most desolate hours leading up to His crucifixion. I, as were others others who made their way into the chapel, was there as one of His disciples, called to sit, wait, watch and pray.

As I sat there in the silence and stillness of the room, I noticed the flames of the slender tapers burning in the bowl of sand in the middle of the chapel. The flames were perfectly still,  not wavering as flames are apt to do. They stood watch silently, sentinels in the night, the only light in an otherwise dark room.

A short while into my watch, I grew tired of the hard seats and yearned for something to drink and  the warmth of my bed. I left my watch. Others were still there; I knew Jesus no longer needed me. I became like His disciples of His day- I left him for other comforts.

As I sit here in the sunlight of a new day, I think back to Thursday night and the light emitted by those tall slender tapers. I am reminded that Jesus is the Light in my life. He is steadfast and pure, standing sentry silently beside all of us, no matter what. He does not waver in His presence; does not leave us in our despair- even in our darkest hours. He celebrates in our joys, comforts us in our distress.

As we leave Holy Week behind us, enter into this joyful season of Eastertide and return to the business of our secular lives, may we never lose sight that Jesus is indeed the way, the Truth and the Light. In joyful thanksgiving for Christ's unwavering presence in our lives, let us say Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!