Submitted by Rev. Kennetta C. Carter
PALM SUNDAY/HOLY WEEKThe events of Holy Week would forever change the world. Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowd welcomed him as a king. By the end of the week they were demanding his death. His followers abandoned him in fear. None of his close followers had really understood the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week until after Jesus returned. They had all expected Jesus to be an earthly king, but God had given them something so much better - an open door into a kingdom that would never end.
Holy Week includes the follow events: Palm Sunday – Jesus enters Jerusalem
Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper, Foot Washing, and Betrayal
Good Friday – The arrest trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus
Easter Sunday – The day Jesus rose from the grave
PALM SUNDAYPalm Sunday, in the Christian calendar is the Sunday before Easter, sixth and last Sunday in Lent, and the first day of Holy Week. Palm Sunday 2009 is celebrated on April 5. This Sunday is when Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem is commemorated. This is the fulfillment the prophecy in Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Palm Sunday is given to meditation on the events of Jesus’ last week before His crucifixion. It is also referred to as “Passion Sunday”.
Palm Sunday can be celebrated by providing palms or crosses for the congregation to wave during the service. Some churches have Palm Sunday Reenactment Parades in their communities.
Liturgical Color(s): Red or Purple
Type of Holiday: Sunday Feast
Time of Year: Sixth Sunday of Lent
Duration: One Day
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Alternate Names: Passion Sunday, Fig Sunday
Scriptural References: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44;John 12:12-19;
Old Testament references: Psalm 118:25-26; Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9
MAUNDY THURSDAYThursday of Holy Week is called Maundy Thursday. “Maundy” probably comes from the latin word “mandatum,” which means “commandment.” This reference is of Jesus’ words to His disciples (that they wash one another’s feet – John 13:14). During the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples' feet. This act has sometimes been followed literally in history as a good way of reminding rulers that they are here to serve their subjects. Maundy Thursday is a commemoration of the Last Supper, the Passover meal Jesus celebrated with His disciples the night He was betrayed. It is usually celebrated with Holy Communion. This year Maundy Thursday falls on April 9, 2009.
Many Christians commemorate the Last Supper in a special Eucharist. In some churches, they may wash each other's feet. After the service the altar is stripped. Some Christians may hold an all night vigil in church, remembering Christ's time in the Garden of Gethsemane or have a Maundy Thursday Service consisting of the Passover meal and footwashing.
Liturgical Color(s): Purple
Type of Holiday: Part of Lenten Fast
Time of Year: Thursday of Holy Week
Duration: One Evening
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Institution of The Eucharist and Ordination
Alternate Names: Maundy Thursday, Shear Thursday
Scriptural References: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13;
1 Corinthians 11:22-34
GOOD FRIDAY Friday of Holy Week is called “Good Friday.” Good Friday is probably a variant of “God’s Friday,” the same way we say “good-bye” today instead of “God be with you." Good Friday is an observance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It is a somber day. Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. The customs and prayers associated with Good Friday typically focus on the theme of Christ's sacrificial death for our sins. The evening (at sunset) of Good Friday begins the second day of the Paschal Triduum. Good Friday worship services begin in the afternoon at 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. (the time Jesus likely died). Various traditions and customs are associated with the Western celebration of Good Friday. The singing (or preaching) of the Passion of St. John's gospel consists of reading or singing parts of John's gospel. The altar and lectern is stripped of its paraments or black paraments are used.
Liturgical Color(s): Black or Uncovered
Type of Holiday: Fast Day
Time of Year: Friday of Holy Week within the Paschal Triduum, and within the traditional 40 day Lenten Fast
Duration: One Day
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion, and Death
Alternate Names: Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, Great Friday
Scriptural References: Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 23; John 17-19
Holy SaturdaySaturday of Holy Week is sometimes called “Holy Saturday” and it is characterized by watchfulness and preparation. Holy Saturday (in Latin, Sabbatum Sanctum ), the 'day of the entombed Christ,' is the Lord's day of rest, the body of Jesus rested in the tomb in which it had been sealed. Jesus had said that after three days he would be resurrected. The Apostle's Creed which says "He descended unto the dead." It is a day of suspense between two worlds, that of darkness, sin and death, and that of the Resurrection and the restoration of the Light of the World. Consequently, according to Saint Matthew, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, ordered the posting of guards at the tomb to prevent Jesus’ followers from removing the body and claiming that he had arisen from the dead. There is deep symbolism upon which we can reflect on Holy Saturday. On this day, the Church waits at the Lord's tomb, and meditates on His Passion and Death and His descent into Hell. With prayer and fasting we await His glorious Easter resurrection. Ideally, Holy Saturday should be the quietest day of the year. Many Christians have Easter Egg Hunts.
Liturgical Color(s): Purple
Type of Holiday: Part of Paschal Triduum
Time of Year: The Saturday of Holy Week
Duration: 1 day
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Waiting at the Tomb of Jesus, meditating on His Death Alternate Names: Sabbatum Sanctum, Black Saturday
Scriptural References: Matthew 27:57-45; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:44-56;John 19:38-42
