“The Week Called ‘Holy’”
By
Robert John Colon

The week called “holy”, that is to say, “Holy Week”, which in 2007 is the first week of April, is called “holy” since in this week we commemorate the chief events of our redemption (1). Christian liturgy not only remembers the events that did save us but realizes those events, makes those events present (2).

The first day of Holy Week is “Palm Sunday”, or “Passion Sunday”. The liturgy of this day does help us relive at least two moments of the final week in Jesus’ temporal life (3). One moment is or concerns when the population of Jerusalem did welcome Him at His entrance into the holy city, saluting Him as King of Israel, and the other moment is or concerns when the same multitude was to reject Him with unfriendly cries (cf. Luke 23: 21) (4). Each year we might have received palm or olive branches or other flora on Palm Sunday. A document of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments says olive branches or palms should not be kept as charms, or for magical or therapeutic reasons to clear out evil spirits or to avert the harm these cause in the homes or in the fields (5). The same document says olive branches and palms are kept in the home as a proof to faith in our Lord, the messianic king, and in His Victory that is Paschal (6).

“Holy Thursday” starts the Easter Triduum, the fulcrum of the whole liturgical year (7). Besides the institution of the Priesthood, the complete offering that Christ did make of Himself to humanity in the Sacrament of the Eucharist is memorialized on this day (8). A Homily of Pope John Paul II says Jesus gives Himself as sustenance to His followers to become one with His followers (9). “How can bread and wine be changed into the body and blood of Christ?” A writing of Pope Benedict XVI says the Eucharist is an enigma of faith par excellence (10). Another writing of Pope Benedict XVI says the Eucharist is the Church’s “treasure” (11).

Friday of Holy Week, which is called “Good”, is focused on the riddle of the Passion (12). The Catechism of the Catholic Church says it’s exactly in the Passion, when Christ’s mercy is about to conquer it, that sin most clearly shows its violence (13). But let us remember: the Cross discloses the fullness of the love of God (14).

On “Holy Saturday” the Church stays in prayer at the tomb, where our Lord’s Body is lying inactive as it were in a condition of rest after the creative work of redemption engendered with His death (cf. Hebrews 4: 1-13) (15). A General Audience of Pope Benedict XVI says during the solemn Easter Vigil the glad singing of the Gloria and Easter Alleluia shall well up from the hearts of the recently baptized and the whole Christian community, rejoicing since Christ is risen and has conquered death (16).

Pope Benedict XVI said readying oneself for Easter with a good confession does continue to be a deed to make the most of (17). Trusting that God is compassionate and merciful, let us near the Sacrament of Penance.

Let us prepare to meet the Risen Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says the Risen Christ is with us perpetually, no matter what tempests may spring (18). Let us draw near to Christ even with our weakness and sinfulness, trusting that His Redemption’s power is stronger than all human weakness and human sin put together (19). Let us also turn to His Immaculate Mother, Mary Most Holy, and “Help of Christians” (Litany of Loreto).

Have a holy and happy Easter.

First completed on March 24, 2007.

NOTES:

(1) Cf. John Paul II, General Audience, 31 March 1999, number 1.

(2) Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1104.

(3) Cf. John Paul II, Homily, 4 April 2004, number 1.

(4) Cf. John Paul II, Homily, 4 April 2004, number 1.

(5) Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. Principles and Guidelines, number 139.

(6) Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. Principles and Guidelines, number 139.

(7) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 12 April 2006.

(8) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 12 April 2006.

(9) Cf. John Paul II, Homily, 17 April 2003, number 2.

(10) Cf. Benedict XVI, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, number 6.

(11) Cf. Benedict XVI, Angelus, 18 June 2006.

(12) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 12 April 2006.

(13) Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1851.

(14) Cf. Benedict XVI, Message for Lent 2007.

(15) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 12 April 2006.

(16) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 12 April 2006.

(17) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 12 April 2006.

(18) Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2743 and cf. Matthew 28: 20 and Luke 8: 24, which are pointed to in note or footnote 36 (in that part of the Catechism) which relates to number 2743 of the Catechism.

(19) Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical, Redemptor Hominis, number 10 and cf. Pope John Paul II, Address to young people of England and Wales, 23 August 1983.