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March 01, 2008

Rector's Reflections

HOLY WEEK, MARCH 18-23, 2008
Step inside any Episcopal church in the coming days and it is obvious something is about to happen. Bold signs and symbols are everywhere. Rituals seem to be more exciting at this time of year. And they tell a religious story that is powerful and ambiguous. It is Holy Week. The spiritual journey of Holy Week closely follows ancient historical events. Congregations move quickly from Jesus’ triumph in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his passion and death. Holy Thursday rituals such as the consecrating of holy oil in cathedral churches, along with Last Supper liturgies in local parish churches, are like a “refreshing pause.” They are a few hours of rejoicing before the reality of Jesus’ suffering and death which constitutes Good Friday. Then there is a quiet waiting until the burst of the new light of resurrection conquers the dark of death at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. According to Greg Dules, in his book Catholic Customs and Traditions, “the title that the Eastern Catholic Church gives to Holy Week says it all: the week of Salvation. No one day or one religious tradition would be sufficient to celebrate such an immense happening.”

Holy Week is the heart of the church year. The word “Holy” highlights this week as unique and most holy in the annual cycle of time for Christians. We invite you therefore to join us for one or all of these Holy Week events at Holy Trinity Church. Events that mark the historical events of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Please find a description and schedule of Holy Week and Easter services within this newsletter.
Walking together on the journey, Fr. Mike