Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Lent concludes with Holy Week, when, like the early Christians, we prepare for Easter by an intense recollection of the final events of Jesus’ life: his triumphal entry in Jerusalem (Passion or Palm Sunday), his Last Supper (Holy Thursday), his crucifixion and death (Good Friday) and the discovery of his empty tomb and the experience of his resurrection (Easter).

Holy Week begins with the Palm Sunday commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem that climaxed with a great public demonstration of acclaim. In a prophetic sign mocking the triumphant victory procession of a military messiah on horseback, the humble messiah Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while people joyfully strewed palm fronds on his path.

Holy Thursday is the first day of the Triduum and is filled with the action of Christ’s self-gift. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday commemorates Christ’s command that we “love one another.” Symbolized in the washing of the feet, the great commission of Christ is made concrete in the Eucharist as well as in Jesus’ crucifixion on Calvary. The first day of the Paschal Triduum culminates in the solemn veneration of the cross on Good Friday. At the end of the Mass on Holy Thursday, all the altar coverings and decorations are removed, symbolizing the fact that Christ was stripped of his garments upon his arrest.

Good Friday, the second day of the Triduum is filled with the silence of the tomb. The solemnity of Good Friday continues throughout the day of Holy Saturday. The Church celebrates no Eucharistic liturgy during the day, but silently prepares for the Easter Vigil celebration in the evening. As Jesus remained in the tomb, so the Church as a whole awaits the coming of the Lord’s kingdom.

Holy Saturday is the day of God’s silence. It must be a day of silence, and we must do everything possible so that for us it may truly be a day of silence, as it was in that time – the day of the silence of God. Laid in the sepulcher, Jesus shares with all of humanity in the tragedy of death. It is a silence which speaks and expresses love as solidarity with those who have always been neglected, whom the Son of God reaches, filling the emptiness that only the infinite mercy of God the Father can fill. God is silent, but out of love. On this day, love – that silent love – becomes the expectation of life in the resurrection.

The Easter Vigil is the third day of the Triduum and is filled with the wonder of the resurrection. The Easter Vigil is the high point of the liturgical year. The drama of lighting of the new fire, the blessing of the Paschal candle and the Easter proclamation in the candlelit church set the stage for the recounting of the story of salvation in the Scripture readings. “Alleluia” once again greets the Gospel, and following the homily, we celebrate baptism and the renewal of our baptismal promises. The Paschal Triduum officially concludes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday, but the wonder of the Easter Season extends for a full 50 days. (All Saints Press)

May you have a Blessed Holy Week,
Fr. David