Then I was struck by Jesus saying,
“This is a new commandment I give to you: Love one another.”
Simple, but hard to do. If we could just do this we would not
have all the hatred and violence. Once again, I want to wage peace
by loving others. For those who have not felt love from me, especially
some people here in Romania, I pray God will heal my heart.
On Thursday, after taking Communion at the Baptist church I went
to the Orthodox church with Mihaela and Ana Maria. This was one
of the most moving services I have attended here. With me in tow,
Mihaela wrangled a place up front so we could see. An Orthodox
service is not for the claustrophobic, as I found out last night
at the Easter vigil, where I almost fainted.
At the Thursday service the gospel accounts are read while everyone
holds candles. As the Gospel account is being read (about 10 or
12 passages were read while I was there), people kneel. After
each reading there was a sort of a passion play enacted. When
they carried in the cross and it was placed in the center of the
church, there was not a dry eye in the church. It is so moving
to see so many young people kneeling in front of the cross. After
about an hour, I claimed one of the seats along the sides of the
church as my knees and back were screaming in pain. I was just
about the only one sitting, but this allowed me to stay the full
three hours. These services are not tiresome, as there is always
something happening. The advantage of having no seats is that
people can come and go as they wish. Many come for only a few
minutes, some for the entire time. The service engages all the
senses.
When I returned home, I found in my Presbyterian worship book
almost the exact same services the Orthodox use outlined for Holy
Week. Reading through this servcie and imagining all my Presbyterian
brothers and sisters celebrating in similar ways reminded me of
the importance of being the one catholic and apostolic church.
On Saturday night at midnight, with Costica and one of the teachers
from Speranza (the combined boys and girls home) we took about
fifteen boys and girls to the candlelight service at one of the
churches. This is one of my favorite services, as everyone in
the entire city is outdoors, going to church to receive their
light from the “Jesus candle.” The priest does the
service outdoors, as there is no room in the church. We got there
early to have a standing place so we could see, but I got very
woozy and had to go out in the street where I could breathe. Although
this was the third Easter I have been in Romania it is the first
time I understood almost every word.The priest chants everything,
so it sounds mystical, but it was first a prayer of illumination,
the reading of a Gospel and then prayers for the world, for our
city, for the governments of the world, for the sick. And then
everyone sang this wonderful hymn. Jesus is risen. This part of
the service was about forty minutes, and then those who wanted
to take their light home left while others stayed until dawn keeping
vigil. I left with the children after the short service.
Each church in town has a loud speaker and the services were
broadcast, so everywhere in the city you could here the gospel
being read. While walking home I was moved to see everyone out
with their candles.
Sunday morning I went to the service at the Baptist church, and
the choir sang “Up From the Grave He Rose” and the
sermon was called “Without the Resurrection, there is no
Easter story.” So once again I am filled with hope for this
weary world, which God loves so much he sent his only son as a
martyr for us. But God always has the last word, and this time
it wasn’t death and destruction, it was life and the resurrection.
I can’t help but remember last year the world was in a
mess, and it still is, but the hope is still there—candles
are still burning brightly for the hope of the world. The light
has come into the world and the darkness cannot overcome it. I
am filled with hope like I have never been before. I pray peace
and love and hope for each of you.
Pace
Mary Ferris
Easter services are always the best attended everywhere—and
I am certain it has to do with the hope.
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
318 |
