A Rookies Guide to Holy Week
Holy Week is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. If you have never gone through Holy Week, you may be wondering: “Why is this week different from all other weeks?”
During Holy Week, the church journeys with Jesus through the final moments of his life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the grave. Holy Week invites each one of us to go on pilgrimage: to journey with Jesus through the gates of Jerusalem, to eat with him and hear his commandment to love one another, to stay and watch with him in the garden, to accompany him on the way to Calvary, to be present at his death, and to dance for joy at his resurrection.
Let this Holy Week be your invitation to set your countenance on Jerusalem and, like Jesus, to journey to the Passover feast. Let us experience the remembrance of God’s saving deeds and encounter firsthand the power of the crucified and risen Christ to save and heal us.
Palm Sunday
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, when he was greeted by a crowd, waving palm branches and shouting “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” With our own palms, we remember and join the crowds who sang “hosanna” to Jesus as an earthly king, perceiving his glory in limited and worldly terms, based on our own human experiences and expectations.
The Triduum or “Three Days”
The word “Triduum” comes from the Latin word meaning “three days,” and encompasses the three most sacred days in the Church year. It begins at sundown on Holy Thursday, reaches a high point on Easter Sunday. The liturgical celebrations during the Triduum on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are rich with symbolism and flow from one to another in a seamless way. While it may appear as if these liturgies are separate and distinct, they are actually intended to be one continuous celebration that commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. For this reason, all are encouraged to observe the entire Triduum by attending all of the liturgies.
Maundy Thursday
“This is my body, given for you.”
On Maundy Thursday we commemorates the final night of Jesus’ life when he instituted the Lord’s Supper (see Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-30; 1 Cor. 11:23-25), washed his disciples’ feet, and told them, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another.” On this night, we will gather to reflect on the significance of this night and celebrating the Lord’s Supper.
Good Friday (Tenebrae)
“It is finished.”
Good Friday we commemorate the passion (suffering) of Jesus in his suffering, crucifixion, and death. We do so by meditating upon the seven last words of Jesus from the cross and remember the love of God that was demonstrated for us by His sacrifice.
Resurrection Sunday
“He is not here; he is risen!”
Easter is the highest Feast Day of the year as we celebrate Christ’ victory over death, hell, and the devil and the life He now brings to all those in Christ! Because Christ rose from the dead, it means death could not hold him and Satan has no power over him; and means that all those who are in Christ Jesus will also be resurrected and given eternal life! This service is marked by joyful celebration and rejoicing!
If you are exploring the Christian faith or a life-long follower of Jesus, we invite you to join us for this most holy week as we remember and celebrate Jesus’ work on our behalf over sin, death, and the devil.