blessed Eastertide!

It's Easter Monday and I have a feeling that all church musicians everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief! We made it through another grueling schedule during the past 4 days. Today, we can rest. Alleluia!

I decided last night I was going to sleep in this morning until I was no longer tired. I made the conscious choice not to get up for Mass. Well, I was wide awake at 6:30! I arrived at 8:00 Mass to discover that a bishop and 2 priests would be con-celebrating. I was so glad I couldn't sleep in, not only for the fact that the bishop was there, but because Mass is the most important element in my day. My heart would have been longing for the Eucharist all day had I really slept in. And, what an awesome surprise and blessing to receive Our Lord from a bishop!

The Triduum and Easter Sunday celebrations were beautiful. Our parish community celebrated Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil with the Vietnamese community. It was interesting to hear the Vietnamese language read and sung. The church was filled with families.

We did have one kind of big gaffe. On Holy Saturday, I began playing the intro to the Gospel Acclamation but noticed, out of the corner of my eye, that Father was waving at me. I stopped playing to look at him. (Meanwhile, the cantor started singing but quickly realized I'd stopped playing so she stopped, too!) He was mouthing something but I just didn't get it so he came over to me and said something about giving him 3 notes. I told him I didn't know what he wanted. So, he said okay, just do what you are doing. We began again...

I was horrified that Mass had come to a complete halt because either Father or I hadn't done something right...chances are it was me. After Mass, Father said he'd assumed that I'd remember what we'd done last year. (I gave him a pitch...he sang Alleluia; I gave him another higher pitch, again, he'd sing Alleluia and then, a third time...and THEN we'd go into the Alleluia with the congregation that I'd started.) I said, Father, you are talking to an old woman. Brain cells have died since then. I did not remember. Then, he said, as he was proclaiming the Gospel, he hoped that I didn't feel badly about what had happened. I told him, no, that my sense of humor kicked in right away, that I was thinking that I was going to tell him we could have been out of there 5 minutes sooner if we hadn't gone through all that. (Mass lasted over 3 hours!) Also, these things can happen. It's the beauty (curse?) of live music. He said he was glad I wasn't upset.

What I discovered in this exchange was that I work for the best boss in the world. How gracious he was...He even told me not to give it any more thought because he never dwells on things like this. He said he forgets them after they're over. Now, he could have yelled at me or belittled me. (I have a friend who works for a pastor who yells at her in front of people for every mistake she makes.) Instead, Father brought Christ's love and compassion to me. I was so grateful...and humbled. I resolved NOT to make that mistake next year. I made sure it went into the notes I made after every service about things that could be improved for next year.

What a blessing to encounter someone who is willing to show me God's love and mercy in this way! I pray I will do the same when the opportunity presents itself. After all, this is an essential (but quite often overlooked) part of professing to be a Christian.

The Church teaches that the next 50 days, until Pentecost, are to be days of celebration (YES...no fasting!!!). Let us mindfully and prayerfully (AND joyously!) celebrate the greatest gift God gave us: His Son who is risen from the dead so we may have eternal life. May blessings and celebrations be yours during this very holy season of Easter!