May the joy of the Risen Lord fill your hearts this Easter season
By Bishop Mark Beckman
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Holy Week marks the central week of our liturgical year. Each year we commemorate the sacred events that mark our entrance into the great Christian Passover.
The week begins with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion as we observe the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. His arrival is marked by both humility and awe. Our processions with palm branches remind us of His entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem and invite us to “accompany” Him throughout the week. We listen attentively to the account of the Lord’s passion from the Synoptics as we mark this Passion Sunday.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the sacred triduum as we observe the annual celebration of the saving death and resurrection of the Lord. The washing of the feet is a beautiful sign of the humble loving service Christ models for us.
Following Communion, the Eucharist is carried in solemn procession to a place of rest. We remember the original journey of the Lord from the place of the Last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The stripping of the altar and departure in silence invite us into reflective stillness.
Good Friday marks the observance of the death of Jesus. All enter and leave the church in silence this day. As the priests and ministers fall prostrate, all are asked to kneel.
During the proclamation of the Passion according to St. John, parishioners participate as various people proclaim the parts of the Gospel. The cross is venerated: this simple ritual is one of the most profound moments of the liturgical year as individuals and families approach to venerate the cross in some way.
Special intercessions are offered for the needs of the Church and of the world. The collection is taken up for the care of the places of the Holy Land, a part of our world so dear to the Lord, which needs special care this year following so many months of conflict.
The Stations of the Cross and Reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross are devotions that often accompany this day. Our fasting and abstinence from meat are but one way we join ourselves to the suffering of the Lord for the salvation of the world.
Holy Saturday marks the great day of Sabbath rest, mirroring the “rest” of Jesus in death. We arrive at church in silence. In the evening, the vigil of Easter begins after the fall of night, with the blessing of the new Easter fire and the lighting of the paschal candle.
The church is filled with the glow of candles held aloft by the faithful as the Exsultet is sung. The Scriptures proclaim the story of salvation. The catechumens are baptized, the candidates are received into the Church, and both are confirmed. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated with special solemnity. The resurrection of the Lord is proclaimed! The Easter season has begun.
This year, I invite all of you to enter more deeply into this great Holy Week that proclaims so eloquently the mystery of God’s redemptive and healing love. May we all be blessed to know the Lord Jesus more deeply, to love Him more dearly, and to follow Him more nearly!
May the joy of the Risen Lord fill your hearts as we journey into the great Paschal Mystery!
