Holy Week

The christian journey once again brings us to the core of our belief. Christs entry into Jerusalem, hailed as the messiah. The son of God begins the journey to everlasting life.

When I was a kid growing up in the Catholic church, Holy Week was held with the reverence you would expect. We always had to go to confession before Easter. Fasted and abstained on Fridays during lent, and got new dress clothes for Easter Sunday. We were often spared Holy Thursday services, but Dad would always go. It was the first mass I served as an altar boy. Talk about a baptism by fire.
We knew that we were off school on good Friday to attend mass. I still recall stores closing from noon until 3. After mass we would decorate the Easter eggs that would go into the packed baskets of ham, kielbasa, lamb shaped butter and other Easter essentials like horseradish and jelly beans. The baskets that Mom would prepare for blessing on Saturday morning. She would let us nibble on some goodies that evening, but we weren't allow to eat any of the blessed food until Sunday. Saturday night was spent taking our baths and making sure our shoes were shined and shirts were ironed. We always looked our best for Easter Sunday mass. It was a wonderful celebration of life represented by big families gathering among new spring flowers, joyful singing and a feeling of renewal.

I hope children are still introduced to the Holy Week journey. From the palms on Palm Sunday, through the stations and adoration of the cross, to the mass of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. A story told for thousands of years, enacted for us annually through prayer, song, and symbolism. This is the heart of our belief. The reminder of the promise of eternal life. Why we prominently hang the crucifix. And why we find strength though Christ's suffering. Suffering eventually ends. And the promise of a new day and a new life gives us hope for tomorrow. Not a bad message in these trying times.