Lent is a 40-day solemn season for Christians. During this time, prayer and fasting are traditions. As a child, I fasted without chocolate (a luxury for me), but over the years, I learned that praying and helping others are key. The beautiful ceremony of Holy Thursday becomes a day of service, serving, and humility.
This month's Spiritual Journey Thursday is hosted by our teacher/poet, Ruth Hersey. She chose the word "service" as our theme, based on the ceremony of Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday's washing of the feet ritual.
My son, sister, and I attended the Holy Thursday evening ceremony at St. John Neuwmann's Church tonight. Upon arrival, the washing of the feet stations were set up in six areas of the church. I was amazed by the large choir, beautiful voices, and an orchestra. My husband would have been equally surprised when learning that his name appeared on the bulletin and was also mentioned during the solemn Mass.
A year has passed since his memorial mass on April 2, 2025. I am grateful for Pastor Father Michael Murray, who sent me a beautiful Mass card stating that my husband would be honored at the 2026 Holy Thursday service. I also thank Father Sleeva, who provided a beautiful memorial service last year for Richard, and will be at the Holy Thursday Mass.
On April 2, 2026, I started to reflect on this beautiful piece of artwork, Washing of the Feet Ceremony. Please read the nonet poem below ( refreshed and refined since 2023).
Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet. by Rembrandt van Rijn(between 1640-1650) with a reed pen and brown ink. Some areas were deliberately rubbed with a wet finger or wet brush, framing lines in greyish-brown ink ©Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
On Serving
Jesus came to serve, not to be served.
As a great leader, He acted
with gentle, loving kindness
and caring for others.
Through His clear actions,
He modeled how
to offer
love to
us.
©CVarsalona, 2026
As I continue to work on restoring my soul and reviving my heart, I hope that love will be my special tool. Realizing that there is a season and time for birth and a time to die, planting seeds of love and hope will renew my life in every part. (Ideas and words come from Ecclesiastes 3 and the song, Restore My Heart.)
Thursday was a day of memories, service, and peaceful intentions for my husband. I joined the Creekside Cares committee to create small bouquets for 15 hospice rooms at the Adler House and vases of flowers for 6 neighbors. It is the place of repose that my husband was transported to last year. I remember the tears, shock, and last rites given to Richard as his body lay in the room that overlooked the meditation garden. He was quiet but not alone. My daughter and I were at his bedside with the nurses. I continue to reflect upon that night., I realize that there were many caregivers and spiritual leaders who offered their service to bring peace into the silence of a room. Service is the kindness we give to others, as was shown during the Holy Thursday Mass. The priest who said the mass spoke of the ceremony as the washing of feet love. What we can do for others is not only providing a service but fill it with love, as indicated at the ceremony.
With sincerity, I pray that the light of Holy Week will wash away some worries, increase love, and bring peace to other families who have deceased relatives that need remembrance.
Spiritual Journey Thursday
hosted by Ruth Hersey
April 3, 2026's Poetry Friday is hosted
Matt is celebrating the book anniversary of his 12th book, a beautiful children's anthology,
A Universe of Rainbows, with a star list of fabulous poets.
INVITATION during National Poetry Month
Day 2-3/30
Let your imagination take you on a journey throughout National Poetry Month.
