This is Holy Week......one of my very favorite weeks of the year. This is the week that reminds me why I am a Jesus Freak!! Although this is a solemn week, what it leads up to is life changing. The problem is that this is often just another week that passes us by. We are given the gift of the Triduum, the three holy days before Easter, but we let them pass by without even noticing their beauty. I guess there were many years when I did the same too, but not anymore. I look more forward to the three days before Easter, than I actually do Easter Sunday! (Am I allowed even to say that?) Let me explain.
Holy Thursday- The Holy Thursday Mass is my favorite Mass out of the entire Liturgical year. Watching the priest wash the feet of 12 parishioners is absolutely amazing. I was lucky enough to have my feet washed one year and it was so emotional for me. The focus of this Mass is servant hood. Jesus taught his followers an important lesson the night that He washed their feet. As Pope Francis said in his Inaugural Mass homily, "Authentic power is service." That is the exact message that Jesus taught the night of the Last Supper. We are called to serve others. This world makes us think that it has to be "all about us!" As Jesus washed his disciples feet, He reminded us that it is in serving others that we truly become one with Him. Then Jesus challenges us when He says in John 13:15, "So that as I have done for you, you should also do." This is the beauty of this Mass. It empowers us to go out and serve and reminds us that even our Lord and Savior was humble enough to wash the feet of his disciples. Now, it is our turn!
Good Friday- This day deserves way more appreciation than we give it. This is the day that Jesus died on the cross FOR US. This is the only day during the Liturgical year that Mass is not celebrated. What does take place though is beautiful. Churches will open their doors in the afternoon hours and many will take part in a "veneration of the cross" service. This is one of the most humbling things I witness all year. One by one, we walk up onto the altar and kiss the feet of Jesus on the cross. No one is looking to see what you are wearing, no one is laughing at you as you walk to the altar.....the focus is on JESUS. Complete love. Complete reverence. Complete focus on Jesus. The way it should be. This day should never pass without giving at least part of the day to the one who gave His life for us.
Holy Saturday- This is the in-between day. He has died and we wait for Him to rise! But there is also so much beauty in this day and it comes at the Easter Vigil Mass. This Mass begins with a fire outside, representing that Jesus is the light of the world. Each person lights their own candle and enters the church lighting it up as they enter. You can see the light of Christ radiating throughout the Church. Then, new members are welcomed into the Church. Some are baptized, others are confirmed, but all are clothed in the love of Christ. Many miss this Mass because oftentimes it is 2-3 hours long. We may see a movie that is that long or go to a concert that is that long, but rarely will we ever go to a Mass that is that long. We wait for many things, but sometimes just not the right things! This Mass reminds us that there is such beauty in patiently waiting...especially for the light of Christ to enter our hearts!
THEN..........The Tridumm had ended and EASTER IS HERE!!! HE IS RISEN!
The beauty of the Triduum and the joy of Easter can be transforming if you allow these days to truly make a difference in your life. I encourage all of you to make this week matter. Use this week to draw closer to God and to develop and even deeper relationship with Him. So, what can we learn during Holy Week?
1. Serve others
2. Focus on Jesus, not on yourself
3. Wait patiently for the light of Christ
Sounds great to me!!
Have a blessed and Holy Holy Week and EASTER!!
P.S. Don't let the rabbit make you foget about the RESURRECTION!!!
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