Have you ever wondered why it is called 'Holy' Week? Or indeed, when the practice of marking the days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday began?
Some describe it as the Great Week because great deeds were done by God this week. But in the 4th century, St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia, started referring to it as Holy Week. Originally, only Good Friday and Holy Saturday were observed. But gradually the Church took time to reflect on each of the events that occurred in the life of Jesus during the days running up to his crucifixion.
Why would we choose to do this every year?
If you look at the gospels, something like 30% of the content focuses in on that final week before Easter Sunday. Time suddenly slows down - even in Mark's gospel, which mostly gallops. There is an incredible attention to detail. We are invited to sit in on the most intimate of moments and we are encouraged to look closely and listen carefully. Some of it is hard to face, because there is a level of suffering and even brutality that we could prefer not to be reminded of.
And yet, in the events of Holy Week we discover a Saviour who well understands our own suffering, grief and pain. We discover a Saviour who knows exactly what it is like to be misunderstood, to be betrayed, to be denied, to be bruised and battered (physically and emotionally), to be castigated, to be mocked, to be abandoned and to be killed. We also discover a Saviour who knows the value of trusting his heavenly father and of being loved and cared for physically - accepting the anointing the Mary with such grace and thanksgiving.
For many people, gathering for communion on Maundy Thursday is a very special moment in the year. We participate in the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples as death looms for him. We then journey with him to the garden and wonder at his obedience. We stand in the crowd, hearing it bay for blood, as justice is ignored. We witness the collaboration of imperial and religious authorities. We survey the cross and discover once again how deep the love God has for us. And we weep with those who gently take down Jesus' body and bury him in a borrowed tomb.
And then we wait in silence and grief for good news - realising that both have a place in our faith. There is room for uncertainty and unknowing.
We do not rush. We take our time. We enter in.
As we go about our week, as we prepare worship and lead others to the cross, as we gather with brothers and sisters in Christ - may we remember that the ground we are walking on is holy - made so by Jesus. And then, when the time is right, may our hearts overflow with increasing joy and thanksgiving as we hear the words - Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed.
Rev Stella
