I recall our mother calling us into the house at the stroke of noon on Good Friday. We'd whine that it was unfair, but Mom was insistent. Giving up a little of your play time was the least you could do for Jesus, who died on the cross for you, she'd say.
Mother would sit us down and read the story of the crucifixion from the Book of John those Good Friday afternoons -- a pretty disturbing story for kids growing up in the shelter of the 1950s. During those three hours, a quiet would descend over my hometown. The stores and banks would close between noon and 3 p.m., but a pall would settle in. It would last until -- in our case -- the choir at the Aspinwall Methodist Church's joyous "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" officially announced the good news of Christ's resurrection and our salvation on Sunday morning.
Times have changed. Society doesn't miss a beat on Good Friday, but some people see Holy Week as a time to reassess their faith. Many Protestant churches hold prayer vigils with members signing up for blocks of time to meditate or pray through the dark hours leading up to Christ's resurrection.
The First Christian Church in Traverse City holds a 24-hour prayer vigil all day today through Easter morning. Youth Pastor Paul Holland said the church offers readings, candles, a Bible and a prayer journal for those who like to write their prayers.
"The prayers are as vast as the people who scribble them and some are very reflective," Holland said.
Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City holds a 15-hour prayer vigil from Maundy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper, that continues through to Good Friday afternoon. Steve Wade organizes the event and keeps the lights dimmed and the coffee hot as parishioners come and go throughout the wee hours of the night.
"It is a reflective time that lets you prepare for the events and promise of Easter," Wade said.
Those events take on a special meaning for church member and spiritual director Rosemary Hagan.
"Participating in the vigil enhances my experience of Holy Week, but primarily I do it as an offering to God to be present through Christ's time of persecution and suffering; to stand witness and not look away, to offer thanksgiving for the sacrifice (he) made," Hagan said.
She said the time spent alone in church for the vigil, especially at night, offers a quiet and often deeper contemplation of her relationship with God.
"Holy Week invites me to examine Christ's last days and hours on earth; his betrayal, his persecution, his all-too-human request of God to spare him, and of course the crucifixion and his death. The disciples may have run away, but the women close to Jesus stayed near and stood vigil. Both men and women can ask themselves, 'Would I have stayed with Christ?'" she said.
It's a good question to think about and perhaps pray about today.
Mom was right. It's the least we can do.
Reach Gretchen Murray at 933-1490 or gmurray@record-eagle.com.
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