We have just completed of Holy Thursday liturgy. Those final moments of making the church stark are very profound. I find that each year I am more and more able to get in touch with the solemnity of Good Friday. Presently there are people in the church praying. They are focused on a 12 foot Cross lit with 11 candles. – Twelve minus the one who betrayed him. All night the people of God will be here. We will take heed to Jesus request that we stay awake and pray. There is a profound stillness in the church. We have entered a Gethsemane reality. Pray tonight as we ready ourselves to say our Good Friday prayers. May God give us strength and courage to make it through the dark night to see the light of the Easter gospel which awaits us.