Walking the Walk During Holy Week

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51

      Luke describes Jesus’ approach to his entry into Jerusalem, his struggles with authorities there, and ultimately his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection in this way. Should we approach Holy Week any less intentionally?

     It is early this year. March 16 is Passion/Palm Sunday, and March 23 is Easter (if we are fortunate, it won’t snow). The week also includes Maundy Thursday, March 20 and Good Friday, March 21. A page outlining our church’s Holy Week events follows.

     In the church’s early years, Christians prepared for the celebration of the resurrection with days of fasting and prayer. These days, it seems, most of us feel we do well if we attend worship on the two Sundays. But consider what is left out of our lives and spiritual experience if that is all we do: gathering with fellow believers for the times commemorating Jesus’ sharing the meal which has become the Lord’s Supper, and keeping vigil on the Friday when Jesus gave his life for the world.

      Because busy church folks these days jump from Sunday to Sunday, many churches have packed the remembrance of Jesus’ passion into Palm Sunday, an acknowledgment that most won’t show for Thursday and Friday. I much prefer to keep our church’s times of remembering and worshiping on the actual days. I hope you agree.

     Isn’t it worth the effort to plan this one week of the year around the spiritual walk with Christ that is at the heart of our faith? Isn’t it worth the deeper meaning this can have for us and our children?

      Please make note of our upcoming Holy Week experiences described here in CrossRoads, and feel free to contact the church for more information (burlpres@aol.com or 781-272-9190).

     I hope we will walk the walk together this year.

Peace,

Rod