As we approach Easter, we enter Holy Week, when the Church celebrates the central mysteries of our redemption. Let us recall those wonderful events.
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into his own city of Jerusalem. The crowds shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!" (Jn 12:13). Sadly, some of the same people would soon cry out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" How revealing those events were of human nature under the influence of sin! How hard to be faithful and steadfast, without the help of God's grace! Nonetheless, Jesus' triumphal entry gives us a glimpse of his future coming in glory, when all nations and peoples will hail him as Lord and Savior. In this way, we enter Holy Week with the final victory on the distant horizon.
So that the celebrations of Holy Week may not be overly demanding on priests and people, we celebrate the Chrism Mass one week before Holy Thursday. All the priests serving in the diocese join me in celebrating this Mass as a sign and witness of their communion with me in the one and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ.
At this Mass, I consecrate the sacred oils that the priests and I will use in the Church's liturgies during the coming year. The holy chrism is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders (as well as in the dedication of churches and altars). The oil of catechumens is used in the preparation of those to be baptized. The oil of the sick is used in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The Easter Triduum ("three days") begins on Holy Thursday at dusk. This is the culmination of the Church's entire year of worship.
On Holy Thursday we the last Passover Meal that Jesus would celebrate with his disciples. At this time, Jesus gave us the Eucharist and of the priesthood.
In the Gospel according to St. Luke (22:14-20), we read: "When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them: ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.' Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and said: ‘Take this and share it among yourselves … Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, ‘This is My body which will be given for you; do this in memory of Me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying: ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood which will be shed for you.'"
The Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass is the unbloody perpetuation of Jesus' bloody sacrifice on Calvary, in which he offers us the same Body and Blood he offered on the cross. In saying "Do this in memory of me," Jesus gave the Twelve the powers of the priesthood, and by washing their feet he called them to a life of humble service of others.
On Good Friday, we accompany Jesus as he freely hands himself over to suffering and death in atonement for our sins, so that we might have life. The minister chants, "Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world," and all sing, "Come, let us worship!" All worship the Lord, and venerate the cross, usually with a kiss, as a sign of their love, devotion, and surrender to him who died for us.
The Easter Vigil, celebrating the glorious and triumphant resurrection of Jesus, the Savior, is the greatest and most exalted of all solemnities in the Church's year. It begins with the blessing of a fire, representative of a new creation that flows from the resurrection of Christ, who by his death has overcome the darkness of sin. From this fire, we light Paschal Candle which represents Christ, the Light of the World. The cantor sings, "Christ the Light!" and all respond, "Thanks be to God."
The Paschal Candle, representative of the Risen Christ, is placed in the Sanctuary and the Easter Proclamation is sung, calling on all creation to rejoice in His victory over sin and death. The drama of God's mighty deeds and of salvation history is proclaimed in the Old and New Testament readings. New members are added to the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and first Eucharist. They renounce sin and profess the faith of the Church. Then all the gathered faithful renew their own baptismal commitment to renounce sin and embrace Christ as Lord and Savior. Again and again the congregation sings, "Alleluia!" And thus, on this Easter day, we celebrate the greatest event wrought by God in human history.
I heartily encourage everyone to participate in the liturgies of Holy Week. It is the best way of all to prepare our hearts to enter into the joy of Easter Sunday! May our participation in the liturgies of this week renew our faith and joy, and be a sign to all of the light and life of Christ which is within us.
