Holy Week?

Sunday the 16th of March is Palm Sunday or The Sunday of the Passion. Whatever you may call it, it begins Holy Week. This week, which commemorates the last week of Jesus’ life, is one of the holiest times in the life of the Church and in the lives of individual Christians. During this week, daily Eucharists are built around events of the week. Thursday evening, Maundy Thursday, is the commemoration of the of the establishment of the Last Supper. But the word Maundy is from the Latin for commandment, for it is at this Supper that Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you.” Some parishes also include a rite of foot-washing, remembering how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet on this same night.

This service typically ends with the chancel area and altar stripped of all adornment and the altar cleaned and anointed with oil. While a little out of sequence, this represents the preparation of Jesus’ body as he’s placed in the tomb. The next day, Good Friday, so called because of the good things that came from his death, we remember Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Then Saturday evening, after sunset, the first feast of Easter, the Easter Vigil is celebrated, usually with baptisms—the making of new Christians.

Christians are an Easter people. Our focus, especially in the Protestant wing of Christianity, is on resurrection—which is why our crosses tend to be empty. I would love to tell you that the services of the week will be well attended, but typically only Easter Day will be. Is this because we have become a culture who just wants to “cut to the chase?” Let’s just celebrate the big day and forego the run-up. Is it because it’s just asking to much for busy people to come to church multiple times a week? Maybe it’s because none of this is very real to us because worship is more a cultural phenomenon than a source of focus and renewal? I don’t know.

I do think it’s something to think about.

Peace, and Happy Easter!

Jerry+