I'm going to stay away from from political and social commentary this week. It's Holy Week, and I want to share with non-Christians or the un-churched, what this week means to those of us that practice our religion, attend services, and contribute in treasure and talents what we can in our Christian community and for humankind.
Today is Palm Sunday, also know as Passion Sunday. It marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and the recognition of Him as the Messiah. The paradox here is that the same people that praised and sang hosannas condemned him at week's end. In our own services today, we opened with a song "Hosanna! Hosanna", powerful and full throated as the children paraded into and around the sanctuary waving palm fronds. I'm Communion Elder this month, which means I offer the Communion Prayer at the Table and serve the Deacons, who in turn serve the congregation. Anytime I fulfill this function I'm honored and humbled.
This Thursday is Maundy Thursday. Our evening of worship begins with an Agape Meal, best described, I think, as Seder for Christians. It's a simple prayerful meal of finger food. Christ and His disciples had their Supper on this evening. After the meal, the congregants walk over to the Sanctuary (I miss this part of the evening because the choir sings and we have to prepare and warm up.) The service itself is called "Tenebrae". This is the night when Jesus was already in the shadow of the Cross, Judas' betrayal, and in what was probably a Passover meal, the institution of the Eucharist or Communion; Jesus breaking the bread and pouring the wine, saying "Do this in remembrance of Me." Tenebrae is from the Latin word for darkness or shadow. The service is a recognition and in a very small way an experience of Christ's suffering. Communion is served. There's no standard or ritual for this service and it varies from church to church and we even vary it year to year. The only standard we've observed is the service being in candle light. There are eight or nine large candles in the front of the sanctuary. As a verse is read a candle is extinguished, and the room gets darker and darker. At the end, only one candle, that representing Christ is left burning. As it gets darker in the room with each candle going out, we reflect on the shadow of the Cross, the physical and emotional pain, and the sacrifice made for us. It's a sad sad ceremony, and at the end, we file out prayerfully and silently.
Friday, Good Friday, at our church we have a prayer vigil all day, each person comes to the church and prays for half an hour, then gets relieved.
Sunday, Easter, we celebrate Christ's resurrection. This service is fun, joyful, lots of singing. Lots of people too. (There's a commentary there, but for another day.)
This is a truly important week for Christians, I think the most important. We're reconnecting with the living God. It's a very important week for me. I reflect all week on the sacrifice made for me, and the blessings and grace that has been bestowed upon me as a result. It's all bitter sweet. Love, loss, betrayal, pain, sacrifice, resurrection, and the sweetness of eternal Love.
