The seder meal was delicious, and somber, and quick; I think we did justice to the essence of the meal. We found ourselves running out of time before 7pm Holy Thursday Mass, so we were a little rushed, but we began with this prayer for priests, passed around a glass of red wine (a sip for everyone), and dug in to hard boiled eggs, bitter herbs (parsley), homemade matzoh, and amazing roasted lamb. I hope we can make this a tradition; the meal was a good organic conversation-starter for the kids about the Last Supper, the initiation of the priesthood, and the Eucharist among many other topics.
And now we have a solemn fast day. What are your Good Friday traditions?
2 comments:
That photo of roasted lamb ought to overcome all the resistance traditionally offered by the Farr girls to lamb of any kind. What a wonderful feast and the beginning, I trust, of a long and beautiful tradition for Holy Thursday. Kudos to Cara and Dave!
From Lola:
Hi Cara and David,
What a hearty meal you prepared! I was reflecting on the symbolism of this meal and even how it is eaten. And the way you were rushed is actually keeping with what was said in the readings in the gospel...that you were in "flight".
I think this is a wonderful experience for you and the children, a family tradition.
As for me and my family growing up, I remember spending a lot of time in church and observing silence at all times. We were not allowed to do heavy work, everything was subdued and people stayed at home and you could here the "old people" singing the Passion in their own homes like mourning a death in the family but in this case, the death of Jesus. This is for Good Friday.
Fasting was natural because we did not have enough food. I remember having canned sardines cooked into a soup with chayote we have in abundance in our garden and further eaten with rice. To this day, I can remember how horrible it tasted. Maybe it was meant to be the bitter herbs. Another thing that we made sure we avoided is not having a cut because it will take time to heal. This is also the day that Mamang will make her version of the bibingka and just the smell of the coconut made me feel so excited, I could not wait to eat it.
Before we can have it, it is actually offered and placed before our make shift altar. I still remember the framed picture of Jesus and on the other
side of Mary. And if I had the intentions of eating it from there, the look of Jesus was following me wherever I go. So I had to wait until I got braver
and then felt so guilty afterwards.
And for Holy Saturday, this is the day that we all had to take a shower/bath or "scoop and splash". Also this is when Papang takes us to
Asin hot springs to swim. I think this is a way of not only washing our sins but also our bodies. Well I could go on and on. Maybe I will tell
Francesca and Teresa my childhood stories. I remember how interested they are to listen to my stories when I was their age. Francesca
would say, Lola tell us more stories when you were little.
Today, I will be going to the Queen of Victory Church to make the Stations of the Cross and spend time there. Dad, Kate and Jeff are
working. I will make salmon patties for supper. It is cold here today .
Have a holy day with Jesus.
Love,
Mom
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