Holy Week by Fr. Michael Plekon

by Fr. Michael Plekon

All Christians see the days before Jesus’ death, burial and being raised as a holy week. Much of the liturgy we have for it, especially the last Three Days, comes from observances in Jerusalem recorded by a Spanish nun, Egeria, in the 300s. Still today, the processions on Palm Sunday and later after Good Friday are carried out by Christians of diverse church backgrounds in the Holy City. For some, Palm Sunday’s cries of “Hosanna” float over to the “Hallelujahs” of Easter Sunday. So much is missed if one does not come to the services during the week. Indeed, it is a lot to go to church not once but three more times in a week, but those who do come away with a deepened sense of what we celebrate around Easter every year.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday recalls the joyful parade of Jesus, seated on a donkey, into Jerusalem. This was a way of celebrating great warriors, heroes, leaders and when people shouted out Hosanna or hurray to the Son of David, Jesus, they were doing just that. It was also part of the celebration to wave branches of palm trees, flowers, perhaps even throw down clothing as a sign of regard for the one being welcomed. What a contrast this scene is to the Jesus who will do a servant’s work of washing feet at table, to the battered remnant of a man pushed along the road to be crucified. For a moment it seems Jesus is welcomed and loved by the people. So today we received palm branches that are blessed and hold them up as the gospel is read. 

Maundy Thursday

The gospels record other things happening as the week wore on but the next major day is Maundy Thursday. It’s called that from the Latin word mandatum, command. At the service, after the gospel describing it is read, the clergy wash the feet of the people, imitating Jesus doing that for his friends before supper. He tells them it is a sign of his “new commandment,” that they love each other. This is the very heart of the faith we hold and try to live, not easy, but we know it’s right. The supper follows, what we do every Sunday. The bread and cup are shared and in that Jesus is present, why we say communion or the Eucharist are the body and blood of the Lord.

Good Friday

Good Friday does not appear to be good, no matter which gospel account one reads. This is the center of the services, three reading one of the Passion accounts, a reader as the narrator, another representing various characters in the text and finally a reader repeating Jesus” words. There are a couple readings in addition to the gospel passion story, and there are prayers for the world, for all people in their moments of suffering and need. Lastly, we receive communion from the leftovers of Maundy Thursday. The gospel ends with Jesus’ body being taken down from the cross. One of the drawings here shows his mother holding her dead son, this scene being call Pieta, the holy lady. In the icon/prayer corner there is a beautiful glass icon of the taking down of Jesus from the cross by the late Liesel Paris. There is also a large wooden cross that dominates the church on this Friday, with the crown of thorns dangling on it. People are welcome to come and pray, touch it.

Holy Saturday

The night before Easter there was a vigil or watch service celebrated in Jerusalem, a waiting for the Resurrection. We still keep this Easter vigil. A new fire was kindled, a special Easter candle lit from it, with the acclamation three times: “The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.” Then there is a singing of the proclamation of Easter, also called by its first word in Latin, Exsultet: Let the earth and heaven rejoice. It is a summary of how the raising of Jesus is central, a promise of life unending with God and each other. Then there are several readings. In traditional practice, these readings and psalms and prayers in between went on for hours! This was to cover the time it took for people to be baptized, for this is when you were washed and anointed, as our young people were back in December. There were dozens to be baptized in ancient times. Finally, the gospel account of the empty tomb is read and it is Easter, completed by the sharing of holy communion, giving thanks and being joined to Christ and each other.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday starts here in Borrego at sunrise with a BMA sponsored service that gathers the people and churches out behind the Methodist Church. There are hymns, prayers, readings including another of the gospel accounts of the Resurrection. There is Eucharist/holy communion right after the sunrise service. Later, at 9:30 there is a festive Easter Eucharist. Every Sunday is really a little Easter. The story is one of suffering, pain, death, but think that this is what God decided to come down and experience with all of us, for us. Thus, the Hallelujah on Easter Sunday is our faith that God is always with us, that death is not the end of everything, that we always will be together with God and each other. As a writer friend put it, it is always Easter everywhere. The acclamation all throughout the Easter season says it all: Christ is risen, indeed, he is risen.

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Every Sunday at 9:30 am 

St. Barnabas Episcopal

www.stbarnabasborregosprings.com
Church Country Club Dr
Borrego Springs CA 92004