This week is an important week in
the Christian Liturgical Calendar. During this week we commemorate our Lords
last days on earth and most importantly, His glorious resurrection. It is a
week given by the Church for us to meditate on our lives as the followers of
Christ.
Why do Christians make a big show
of the events in the life of Jesus in the Holy Week? Let me take you briefly to
the events in the life of Jesus and its significance to us.
The
Holy Week begins
The first Holy Week, by the plan
of God, was the most important week in the life of Jesus Christ. This Holy
week, likewise, should be the most important week in the entire year for each
one of us.
A brief background to the event
that happened in the life of Jesus;
The entire passion took place in
Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine, and its environs. Political situation was
that the Jewish nation was subject to Rome. Roman governor was Pontius Pitate.
Their high priest Caiaphas and the council of 70 elders ruled the Jews. Herod
was the King of Palestine.
Jesus of Nazareth who for three
years has been preaching the kingdom of God, working miracles and finally
claiming to be the Messiah, was so growing in popularity that the High priests
and the Jewish authorities saw in Him a serious threat to their authority over
the people. Authorities wanted to kill Jesus but they had not authority to kill
anyone only the governor of Rome had that authority. Now Passover week, with
the great influx of pilgrims to Jerusalem, was a hand. Under such circumstances
Holy Week began.
Palm
Sunday
First day of the Holy Week is Palm Sunday. On
Sunday morning of Passover Week, when pilgrims were traveling to Jerusalem, Our
Lord went openly from Bethany to Jerusalem, by the most direct road. He even
sent His disciples in for a donkey, thus encouraging a celebration. The
enthusiastic followers made a triumphal procession, and in triumph Our Lord
entered the Holy City. Jesus enters Jerusalem like a king but not like Herod or
a worldly king but humble servant king riding on a humble donkey.
Next
Three Days
Now for the Next three
days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we are given time to meditate on some of
the key movements of Jesus and their repercussions felt by the authorities.
Thus, this meditation will help us to enter into Holy Triduum. Three days
Gospels from our daily liturgy propose Jesus’ actions as intense as possible,
which will cause disputations among the authorities, and than High priests are
worried about the authority of Jesus. Hence they plot to eliminate Jesus. Holy Triduum begins on Holy Thursday and end
on the Easter night and then we have Easter Season.
Holy
Thursday
First day of the
Triduum is Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday. Before Jesus was to be handed over
to the authorities he desired to celebrate the Passover meal with his
disciples. He, as the teacher and master of the disciples did an extraordinary
act of humility by washing the feet of the disciples. Now this is really an act
leaving one’s position to care for the people who are lower to them. We the
Catholics witness this act of humility as a symbolic gesture in our parishes
when our priest or leaders of the church wash the feet of others.
The
Institution of the Eucharist: It is the day Christ instituted
the Eucharist, the Mass. Our Eucharist has its origin in Christ Himself. And
whenever we celebrate Eucharist we do that in Christ’s memory.
Good
Friday
It was past midnight
when our lord again wakened the three Apostles, Judas and the soldiers
approached Our Lord to capture. Then he was taken to the house of Annas for a
preliminary investigation. Next he was taken across the courtyard to Caiaphas
the High priest for interrogations in preparation for the full religious trial.
Pontius Pilate the governor of Rome was the next in line to pass judgment on
him but seeing no guilt Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, the King of Galilee, who
sent him back in a robe of mockery. Then Pilate forced to release Barabbas and
hand our Lord to scourged and sentenced to death of the Cross. This way Jesus
is crucified between two brigands. Jesus dies on that cross, a painful death by
forgiving his executioners and the brigand. Helpless mother Mary stands at the
foot of the Cross.
Our parishes remember
this event by meditating the painful journey of Christ through the Stations of
the Cross. It is the day to spend time with the Lord who died for our sins. We
also have veneration of the Cross in the afternoon in our parishes.
Easter
Vigil
Resurrection of the
Lord is celebrated in the Easter Vigil. This is an important event that happened
in the history of humanity. Jesus rose from the dead. He spoke about his own
resurrection throughout His time on earth, that he would rise again in glory to
judge the living and the dead. It is a most beautiful moment for us Christians.
We have waited for this moment during our season of Lent by sacrifice and
prayer. We are happy that our Lord has risen from the dead. He has risen to die
no more. What a wonderful day for us, the resurrection of the Lord. We have an
uplifting liturgy on the Easter Vigil. It is the unique solemnity in the Church
and an important liturgy. We have new light being blessed proclaiming Christ is
the light of the nations; we sing exultet in which we proclaim the greatness of
our God. We have 5 to 7 scripture readings in which we recall how God created
the universe and how he saved us. We also renew our baptismal commitment and
renew our faith in God. It is day to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection. As we
say, we are resurrection Christians.
Easter
and Kites
In Guyana, we also
follow the Easter tradition of flying kites. This is a beautiful tradition we
do after spending time in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We come together as
brothers and sisters to celebrate together. Some of the parishes will bless
your kites on Sunday or Monday. We are united as the people of resurrected God
just like the kites of different color and size. Let us take this opportunity
as we celebrate the Easter to unite as the children of one God.
It is a great time to
be in the Church, to pray and celebrate. Nothing like being in the Church
during this Holy Week, so join us in our celebrations. You are most welcome to
join any of the nearest parishes to find out the time of these festivities. God
bless.
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