When Good Friday is over

I wonder whether I managed to miss it?

I was here, of course - at church most of the day (in my office, though) - and I'd had a week of build up (mostly at my computer, though) - and I'm looking forward to Sunday (though I still need to finish what I'm going to say and how I'm going to lead).

And therein lies the problem : too much stuff, not enough time and space.

Holy Week really and truly ought to be a week to do less of the stuff we do the rest of the time (yes, even for Vicars) and set aside the calm, unhurried time that lets us catch up with the drama and wonder of the week itself.

For me, today has been truly the opposite of what it ought to have been - I've sat at my desk trying to clear stuff through so I can go away for a few days' holiday on Sunday evening. If ever there was an inappropriate way to spend such a day, this was it.

Next year - and here's something to hold me to - I want to plan a week where the week itself (not getting ready for the holiday afterwards, or planning the next term's preaching, or clearing my inbox) becomes the focus.

Otherwise I risk arriving for a celebration on Sunday morning only dimly aware of why it's all such good news.