From the Desk of Deacon Judy
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, begins our Holy Week journey.
Monday through Thursday we continue the St. James tradition of daily noon prayer and meditations from visiting ministers. We will break bread with others in the community for the Lenten Lunches.
Maundy Thursday’s powerful service reminds us of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and the deep message he offered them knowing that his death was imminent. The stripping of the altar perhaps is one of the most moving of our liturgical traditions.
Throughout Thursday night and early Friday morning some churches “sit vigil” to remember the night in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ disciples could not remain awake with him. In this beautiful garden of ancient olive trees Jesus resisted and then acquiesced to his Father’s will.
On Good Friday Jesus traveled the Via Dolorosa, a journey which follows our 14 stations of the cross. Take time to visit the stations in the nave and reflect on this Way of the Cross. An evening service on Friday will allow deep reflection of this day.
Some churches hold the Easter Vigil on Saturday night where the Paschal candle is lit from an outdoor fire and congregants enter a very dark church which gradually fills with light from the Paschal Candle and each person’s candle. In this liturgy, the deacon chants: The Light of Christ three times. The many lessons tell the complete story of our faith, from its Old Testament roots to the New Testament teachings.
Easter Sunday is our Resurrection Day, where we celebrate the Risen Christ with the deep knowledge that He does indeed live within our hearts. The Alleluias reappear with flowers and white altar hangings. Easter was the traditional time for baptisms in the early church. How glorious that St. James will celebrate a baptism on this Easter Sunday.
I grew up celebrating only Easter Sunday and had no idea of all of this preparation time. I am so grateful I found the Episcopal Church and have grown deeper in faith with our liturgical traditions, especially with the Lenten Season of reflection and reexamination and Holy Week which we travel with Jesus from joy to suffering and death to exultation of a transformed life on earth and of life everlasting.
A Blessed Holy Week for Us All, Judy Q+
