Alleluia! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Allelulia!
While the kids were growing up, only the hubby and I attended the Easter Vigil Mass during Black Saturday night. The two-and-a-half-hour Mass was just too much for their young minds to absorb and too long for their attention span to sustain. In my heart I knew the time would come when we would all be able to participate in the Vigil Mass.
A few years ago, we started bringing them to the Easter Vigil Mass. There were a few minor distractions at the start — the heat during the candle-lighting ceremony; the broken, dripping candles; the squirming and giggling and teasing and the temper tantrums. I had to bring water, just in case, they became thirsty; candies, in case, they became hungry or bored; extra hand fans, in case, it became too hot inside the church; extra shirts for each of them. Aside from these, we had to change seating arrangements from time to time to separate the hotheads. Worst of all, the hubby and I had to contend with the incessant asking for the time. It was like being on a long trip and being constantly badgered with “Are we there yet?”
For four years now, changes have begun to come about . The three older ones are able to sit through the 2-1/2 hour Mass. The squirming and teasing are gone. Only the two younger ones, Jonah and Joshua, are keeping track of the time. No more tears, tantrums and broken candles this year (hurray!)
While waiting for our order of chicken and fries at McDonald’s last night after the Mass, I asked Joshua what he thought of the Easter Vigil Mass we just attended. He was very bored. The Mass took too long. I then asked his older brother, Miguel, how it was for him. He was slightly bored (gesturing with his thumb and index finger that were touching just a wee bit.) I told Joshua that someday he’d be like Miguel; just slightly bored. Someday, he’d understand and be more appreciative of the celebration of the Holy Week.
As I write this post, I’m happy with the way our Easter Vigil Mass turned out this year. Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
