Catechism Corner | Holy Week

Today we begin the celebration of Holy Week. For many of us, this is known as Palm Sunday. But if we came here to Church only because of the palms, we are terribly mistaken. This celebration is not about the palms. This is all about the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is Passion Sunday. That is why the Gospel reading we heard is very long. It is the story of the Passion of our Lord.

The Celebration Palm Sunday Mass of the Passion of the Lord, the final Sunday of Lent and the start of Holy Week is the most solemn week on the Christian calendar. Palm Sunday Mass begins by recalling Jesus' entry in Jerusalem when palm branches were waved and cloaks placed at his feet. Christ's triumphant journey to the Mount of Olives. This week sees the climax of the mission of Jesus Christ in which the deepest meaning of his life is unfolded and in which his teaching becomes very real for us in his own words and actions -- his suffering, death, and resurrection. It begins in triumph; it descends into the suffering of death on Friday and rises with joy in the resurrection of Easter.

Ultimately, our liturgy turns our attention to the central event of Holy Week, one which has been at the center of our reflection and penance all during Lent. For us, as Christians, this is the ultimate event of Jesus' life. And, for that reason, that gives the further title to the celebration of today: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. The cross is the central event of the Passion. On the cross, Jesus is the Suffering Servant…the willing Servant, the One who gives himself on behalf of all humanity and in obedience to the will of the Father. That suffering won for all of us and all humanity the definitive victory over sin and hopelessness - a victory we declare and celebrate with these palm branches. These were the ancient world's symbol of victory.

Reflecting during this Holy Week, on the purpose of Jesus' death, saying it both comforts and challenges us. By his self-giving act of dying on the cross, he redeems us; he saves us from our sins and reconciles us with God. The challenge is the call he gives us to be his disciples, to live like him, drawing closer to Christ and letting him win over our hearts.

We should not let this Holy Week be like any other week. Spend some time reading over this beautiful story of the Passion during the week. Give the One who gave his life for each of us a chance to enter your heart this week. The week is holy because God is with us. Come to know him once again. His love gives life, hope, and joy."

The palms will be kept in our homes until the approach of the next Lenten season, when they will be burned to create the ashes used on Ash Wednesday. The vestments worn on Palm Sunday are red, the symbol of martyrdom and blood, a color that will be again used on Good Friday.

The celebration of Holy Week continues with the Chrism Mass, during which the bishop will bless the oil of the sick and the oil of the catechumens and consecrate the sacred chrism. The oil of the sick is used to anoint the sick, the oil of catechumens to bless those preparing for baptism, and the sacred chrism is used for baptism, confirmation, and the ordination of priests, as well as the consecration of altars and churches.

Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.