Ahhh yes, Holy Week. Back when I was deeply involved in church stuff this was THE week of the year, with lots of activities and services and time for meditation, contemplation and the like. These days? Not so much. I really don’t venture close to my Roman Catholic church because of the crowds, was thinking this year of heading up to one of the smaller Episcopal churches on Saturday where they have a small group that gathers since I’m traveling to Atlanta for business on Sunday. Times have changed, I’ve changed. It’s all good though…

But that doesn’t mean Holy Week gets short shrift in my consciousness. I was looking at the prayer grove next to the house today and it is truly beautiful and peaceful there. Thanks to our El Nino winter where we only really got two nights where the temps made it anywhere much below freezing the bougainvillea are as full and vibrant as I can remember. Carmelo’s guys do a truly great job maintaining the grove and keeping the natural archway we’ve cultivated looking as lovely as it is. And yesterday’s windstorm helped turn the ground into a carpet of Lenten violet just in time for the Triduum:

Our neighbors all know that the grove is available to everyone to use as a place for meditation. There’s even a bench to the left that makes it perfect to sit and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Not sure anyone has actually done so, but it’s there just the same.

Tomorrow night I’ll place a candle at the base of the table and let it burn as long as Creation desires.

My prayers and thoughts go out to all for a blessed and spiritual Holy Week and Easter.