Newsletter - 02 April 2023
The Great Three Days
Thursday, we begin the Easter Triduum (pronounced Tri-du-um), the great three days. We follow the Jewish tradition of the day beginning with sunset. Thursday evening to Sunday evening - three days.
We have to see the Triduum as one great liturgical act. We enter the liturgy on Thursday evening and do not leave till Easter. There is no dismissal that night. The priests leave in silence. On Friday there is no entrance rite and no dismissal. It is a kind of choreography, an incredible journey, full of dignity and grandeur. We remain there, no one is dismissed.
The Holy Thursday liturgy is often not well attended, but it is a vital part of this one liturgical act. Jesus and his disciples are celebrating the Passover meal as they did every year. But now Jesus gives new meaning to the meal. He takes the unleavened bread and says,“This is my body. . .” He takes the blood representing the lambs slain to protect the Israelites in Egypt and says, “This is my blood. . . “
In this way, he prepares his closest friends for what is to come. Think of what Calvary would be without the Last Supper – a brutal act of violence. Holy Thursday changes its character completely. It becomes a tremendous act of self-giving love. He says, “I will die tomorrow, but I will die for you.” The meaning is given before the event. First, he said, then he did. He gave himself freely out of love. They did not take his life. All evil and hatred were taken up in his great act of self-giving love.
Reliving Jesus’ Last Supper helps us enter the rest of the Triduum. After the Holy Thursday liturgy, before going home, we pray in silence before the Blessed Sacrament, recalling his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The next day is quieter, fasting and avoiding premature Easter celebrations as we accompany Jesus to the cross. Saturday we can finish our Easter preparations, eat simple meals, and continue to wait quietly for the culmination of the Triduum – the triumph and victory of Resurrection. Lent is over and the celebration can begin!
Nancy Wood, ccn.
Focus of the Week
Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
6 April 8pm
Please note there will be no mass in the morning.
(Collection for the Scholarship Programme in the Philippines)
Good Friday
7 April
Stations of the Cross 11am
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm
(Collection for Holy Places)
Holy Saturday
8 April Easter Vigil (Confirmation) 8pm
Please note there will be no mass in the morning.
Easter Sunday
9 April 9am and 11am