Reflections on the Holy Week
March 23, 2016
The Holy Week may be considered in two segments: one beginning with the Passion or Palm Sunday, the other with Maundy Thursday.
Palm Sunday focuses on two important things: the nature of God's relationship, and the Paschal or Easter Tridium. The Palm Sunday Procession heralds Christ, the servant King. Jesus meekly rides on the foal of an ass - a beast of burden - to Jerusalem. This event ushers in the Paschal of Easter Tridium.
The Paschal Tridium comprises the three most important days of Christian life. It is important because it begins with the Lord's Supper, which anticipates the events of Good Friday. Good Friday is the great day of liberation for all human kind. Good Friday is the day when Christ conquered human beings' last enemies: sin and death. It also proclaims God's reconciliation of his people.
If I be lifted up, I will draw all persons to me
Good Friday is a day on which we glory in the Cross of Christ. The Maundy Thursday banquet is the supper of the new dispensation. Through this banquet, the redeemed community share in the life of God. This new community transcends ethnicity, class, gender and culture. Maundy Thursday leads to the new dawn of Easter. Lent ends on that day. Want more like this? Click here to subscribe to our free newsletter.
Good Friday show in bold relief the extent of human sin and segregation. Maundy Thursday leads to the new dawn of Easter. Lent ends on that day. Good Friday show in bold relief the extent of human sin and degradation. Good Friday heralds God's Messiah who, by emptying himself and becoming God's servant overcome human wickedness, unrighteousness, evil and injustice. Good Friday demonstrates the radical love of God and the extent of that love, as Christ suffered and died for all humankind. The death of Christ opens the gateway to the new life of God. Easter reveals this new life.
In the darkness of the Easter Vigil, we hear the ancient readings and canticles of Christian Initiation. We are reminded of our sins in Adam; but, through the baptismal waters, we are washed with the love of Christ. We are drowned, but we rise with Christ in Glory; so we are ready to share in Christ's banquet, the Holy Eucharist. And so, as Easter People, we can sing the song: Alleluia, Christ is risen indeed.
