Here we are in the midst of Holy Week, that important time for the Christian Church between Passion or Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. A solemn time, commemorating the events of Christ’s journey to the Cross and the Easter Sunday celebration of the Resurrection.
We listen to readings from Matthew or Luke recounting the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, and the growing fear on the part of the Pharisees leading to an assassination plot. Symbolically, we join fellow Christians and Jews in the Passover or the Last Supper, the ceremony of the Seder on Maundy Thursday.
We travel to Gethsemane and, from our human standpoint, can understand Christ’s plea: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” We recount as best we can the trial, the false witnesses, the Passion and the torture of Christ and His death on the Cross. We mourn with the disciples and the Marys at His death, and we try to understand the depth of their loss on that Good Friday, as they were unaware of the coming Resurrection.
But, as Christians, we ARE aware of the Resurrection. Our faith is rooted in that knowledge, for we know the rest of the story. The solemnity of this week is really a rededication of our faith, of our belief. It is a retelling of the centerpiece of our faith. While we may find it difficult to fully experience the confusion, the grief, the loss, the fear that enveloped the faithful followers at that time, but we can understand it. In our hearts we can reach out to them and shout “He is Risen!, He is Risen, Indeed”, be at peace.
So, what does Holy Week mean to you? To me it’s like this: For a number of years we had a vacation place on Lake Michigan, just a little two-bedroom shack. I’ve always been an early riser and my “morning joy” was to sit on the deck with the whole of that Lake before me and feel the world coming alive, fresh and new. My journey through Holy Week is a bit like that, arriving at Easter Sunday fresh and new.
In Sarah Young’s book, Jesus Calling, Jesus speaks to me saying “I am taking care of you. Trust Me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart.” For me, that’s how it is.
For What It’s Worth.
-30-
