SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS INTO THE HOLIEST WEEK OF THE YEAR
Growing up, my favorite holiday was Easter—the Easter Bunny, a new dress for Easter mass, and springtime excited me. Plus, Easter was always near my birthday, so I really enjoyed the season of candy and gifts.
Somewhere along the way, I realized this wasn’t the point. I knew in my mind the big deal was Jesus, but it took me a long time to understand it in my heart.
I fasted from something in Lent without putting much thought or effort into what or why. Then, I showed up at Mass on Palm Sunday, not realizing it was time to begin Holy Week. I fell into my normal routines all week and came back on Easter Sunday morning with my family. It didn’t seem like an unusually special week by any means.
MINDSET SHIFT
It wasn’t until about four years ago that I prayerfully entered into Holy Week for the first time. It changed everything for me.
I attended the Triduum services offered by my church and finally saw the beauty of this liturgical time. During this week, we encounter the retelling of the greatest love story of all time. Do you know what story I’m talking about?!
The one where God became man through Jesus Christ, took on our sins, and died a gruesome death of being scourged, ridiculed, and hung on a cross. Why? Because somebody had to die “for the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) God decided to take on death so we could live for eternal life!
And do you want to know the best part of the story?! HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. He didn’t just end the story with death and sadness. No, He took the death and sadness and made it good– it gave us the ability to return home to Him one day in Heaven, without the stain of sin.
No wonder the Church emphasizes Holy Week as being one of the most important weeks of the year!
During Holy Week, we have the chance to prayerfully enter into the life of our Savior by walking with Him into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), by partaking in the Last Supper and keeping watch in the garden (Holy Thursday), by participating in His death (Good Friday), by waiting in joyful hope (Holy Saturday), and rejoicing in the victory of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday). THIS IS A BIG DEAL, MY FRIENDS!
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN
It starts off with Palm Sunday. We begin Holy Week in Luke Ch. 9 when Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem. Along the way, he preaches the Gospel and sends his messengers ahead of him, which is one way he shows His Kingship-—kings always had messengers to prepare the way. Fast forward to Luke 19 and he enters the city on a donkey, as people spread their cloaks and wave palm branches while shouting praises to God. All of these happenings were prophesied in the Old Testament so the people knew this was the Messiah. Palm Sunday allows us to follow Jesus into Jerusalem with a procession and the blessing of palm branches.
We enter into the Triduum with Holy Thursday. Check out Luke 22. Satan entered into Judas, who then hands Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus knows this and is not phased. Rather, he invites his Apostles to dine with him in what we know as the Last Supper. This is when Jesus himself established the Eucharist—we are taken back to this moment every time we participate in the Mass! We celebrate Holy Thursday by entering into the Last Supper at the Mass. In this special celebration, the priest will follow Jesus’ example of service by washing the feet of some of the parishioners.
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden to pray while His disciples kept watch. Judas enters the garden, kisses Him, and He is arrested. We enter into the garden by ‘keeping watch’ with the Blessed Sacrament for a few hours or through the night.
On Good Friday, we remember the Passion of Jesus Christ. Looking at Luke 23, can see all the events leading up to his death by crucifixion. This the the only day of the entire year that Catholic churches do not have Mass. Additionally, the tabernacle– the vessel that holds the Blessed Sacrament– is empty until Easter Sunday. This is a day of intense fasting and prayer. Communion Services are usually offered and people are able to kiss a cross of Jesus, reminding us of the gruesome death he lovingly suffered for us.
At the very first Holy Saturday, described at the end of Luke 23, Mary and the disciples were mourning the loss of Jesus. Think about it. They knew he would rise again and knew what the Scriptures foretold. Yet, they watched this man the loved dearly die in the most horrific way and they did not know when he would return. Their hearts were shattered. We don’t have any special celebrations for this day. But if you haven’t before, enter into a Catholic church with Jesus not in the tabernacle and just pray with these events. See how eerie it would have been to not have Jesus physically here on earth anymore.
As Holy Week comes to an end, we celebrate the culmination of all these events– the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior! What a victory! Read Luke 24 to recollect the events of this day. Also, don’t forget to celebrate in the absolute best way possible– the Mass! Arguably one of the most joyful liturgical days of the entire year. Don’t miss it!
THE CHALLENGE
Now that you can understand Holy Week a little more, I challenge you to partake in as many of the events that you can. Look up what is happening at your church. Invite friends or family to attend the events with you. Share the love! Don’t let this week just slide by as any other week. Really take time to prayerfully enter in the season and allow Jesus to transform your heart as the Scriptures come to life like never before!
All my love,
Kaylee
P.S. The inspiration for this post came from a Bible study I led as a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. You can find the study here. Feel free to gather some friends for a study or use it for Holy Week prayer material!
