HOLY WEEK OBSERVANCE

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How important is the Holy Week?

The Lenten period covers about 40 days before Easter Sunday comes. Why 40, you may ask? (I asked that too...)

In our dialect, we call it Kwaresma.

40 is a significant number in Jewish-Christian scripture:

• In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain.
• The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God.
• Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai.
• Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. Source

The Lenten Season for fiscal year 2019 had already started, it commenced from April 14 to 20, 2019. Here in the Philippines, as we are a Roman Catholic dominated country, we regard this week as one important events of the many highlights in our faith.

We celebrate the week through remembering that Christ sacrificed himself for his love to all mankind, not just for the Christians alone. It is during this days that we look back on how Jesus Christ had given up his life with pain, sufferings, death and resurrection.

We commemorate either through fasting, meditation or prayer and penance for our sins. There are various traditions, practices and holy rites being observed all throughout the country.

PALM SUNDAY

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Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!’
(John 12:13)

This was the day when Jesus Christs was welcomed to Jerusalem. Everyone were waving their Palapas (palm fronds) up in the air while others throw some palm branches in his path. Which why today, y we make crucifixes using palm leaves and it has been customary to bring them to the church to have them blessed and we take them home. We either hang them in our doors or offer them at the altar.

FIG MONDAY

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On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it,
“May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

• Mark 11:12-14

Holy Monday is the second day of the Holy Week. This was the day when Jesus Christ started to cleansed the Temple. He drove away people who were there gambling money. It was a chaotic scene, throwing off tables and calling people to stop. He said that his temple was built so that people can come and offer prayers.

Moreover, this was the day when a blind man and the lame had been healed by him. The children were again singing joyful praises of the Hosanna....

Then there was a fig tree that was noted for not bearing fruits, it withered immediately right after he cursed it.

SHROVE TUESDAY

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This day was marked for the traditional feast day. Which mean one can still eat whatever he/she likes. For after this day, you can never indulge unto any food anymore. The fasting begins once you had been marked the next day.

Also, on this day one can start doing penitence. How? through confession of your sins and the priest shall pronounce absolution of your sins.

This is where most recollection activities are mostly held during Tuesdays.

ASH WEDNESDAY

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“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Genesis 3:19

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. When we say lent, it means fasting and giving of things. Traditionally. we go to the church and the priest marks a cross sign in our forehead using ashes, from burnt palm leaves, as a symbol of penitence. The cross is the reminder that we submit ourselves for cleansing our soul and mind from Earthly things.

In most cases, once marked by the cross, your fasting and repentance begins. Though it does not mean you are not allowed to eat. You can as long as it is a one full meal, others opt for water fasting (no food intake for the day). It all depends on how long you can starve I mean how long your body can sustain without any food in take.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

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When He had given thanks, He broke the bread and said, Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup of wine after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me
1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Maundy Thursday is said to be the Last Supper. This was the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before he was sent for crucifixion on the next day. Thay have shared bread and wine.

Also, during thuis day, we attend the holy rites at the church on the washing of feet just as what Jesus did to his dicisples. The washing of the feet symbolizes of love for others.

For Filipinos, we had traditions commonly practiced and done as families, the Bisita Iglesias, that is visiting seven (7) churches in the locality. In my family, we usually do it on Maundy Thurday evening.

GOOD FRIDAY

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Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.
Luke 23:34

Good friday is the day Jesus Christ was was crucified and died on a cross at the Calvary Hill. This was the day when he carry the big wooden cross on her back and he was wearing a crown made with thorns.

As practice, each year we perform the Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross to remember the path that Jesus has endured for us. And there are about 14 stops or stations that was identified,

• (1) Jesus is condemned to death
• (2) he is made to bear his cross
• (3) he falls the first time
• (4) he meets his mother
• (5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross
• (6) Veronica wipes Jesus’ face
• (7) he falls the second time
• (8) the women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus
• (9) he falls the third time
• (10) he is stripped of his garments
• (11) he is nailed to the cross
• (12) he dies on the cross
• (13) he is taken down from the cross
• (14) he is placed in the sepulchre

BLACK SATURDAY

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Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer.
For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which through word and sacrament we share in his victory over death.
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It was the day of waiting, praying and hoping that after the death of Jesus, he will come back and return to us just as he promise. The church celebrates a vigil preyer and the ligthning of the candles as it banishes the darkness in us.

EASTER SUNDAY

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Hurray! He is Risen!!

This is the day for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But come to think, we should only not celebrate it during Easter Sundays, for we owe to him our lives. It is just right to be grateful everyday.

Sundays are being celebrated with families to come together. Set forth schedule to spend time and enjoy quality bonding with the family.

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