I recently attended a unique play at the Savannah College of Art and Design that not only told the story of the gruesome execution of five Amish school girls in 2006, but was written to evoke a strong response from the audience towards the event it recounted. Mostly a monologue, the characters confronted the audience with a sharply contrasting response to the murder: the Amish forgave the murderer while others expressed anger towards his family. The drama unfolded before us, and we were forced to become uneasy. The drama demanded a response.
Every year the Church invites us to enter into the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the holiest of weeks. In the next few days, we will be immersed into the drama of salvation and we will be forced to become uneasy. The drama of Holy Week demands a response.
On Palm Sunday, millions gather at their parishes throughout the world to hear again a very familiar story. The Gospel tells of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the prayer at the garden, the betrayal, trial, and death of Jesus. The faithful are invited to enter into the story, singing with palms in the entrance procession, and most notably, by exclaiming, “crucify him, crucify him” echoing the people’s cry at Jesus’ trial.
After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, which commemorates the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper, a solemn procession takes the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose. The tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is usually kept remains open and empty. Jesus is not present because he has been chained and put in prison that night. I recall as a child, guards would stand on either side of the altar reminding the faithful of the events of that night. Many keep vigil with Jesus at his darkest hour, praying throughout the night.
On Friday all Christians contemplate the death of Christ. Dressed in red vestments, the priest enters a stripped church in silence and lays prostrate in front of the altar in prayer. The tabernacle remains empty. After the reading of the Passion from the Gospel of Saint John, the faithful venerate the cross, pray for the Church and the entire world, and finally communion is distributed. No Mass is celebrated so the faithful experience a sense of loss at the commemoration of the death of Jesus.
Finally Easter arrives. A single paschal candle enters a darkened church and its light spreads throughout as the faithful light their candles, signifying the power of Jesus’ resurrection which conquers the darkness of sin by the power of His light. The liturgy of Easter draws all to the powerful and joyful reality of the resurrection.
During these days, the Church masterfully draws us deeper into the paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Scriptures are proclaimed, and the unique traditional rites are followed, we are presented with the story of salvation, a reality to which we cannot remain indifferent. Through word and action, the Church invites us to relive and enter into the greatest mysteries of our faith.
All pictures are mine, all rights reserved. Seville, Spain, Holy Week 2006.
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