The Easter Triduum; A walk through the Paschal Mystery

Holy Thursday, an evening of mystery for the Apostles, and each of us.  How much do we understand the scene when Jesus removed his outer garments, took a towel and tied it around his waist.  “Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.  He came to Simon Peter who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”  (Jn. 13: 4 - 7).  

We need to remember that the act of washing the disciples’ feet is a prelude to the washing away our sins on the cross.  Peter reacted negatively to this action.  With our understanding of this would we also balk at this cleansing or accept the real meaning in our lives?   During the Easter Vigil, water is a significant element used for baptism, with several Old Testament readings expounding on water cleansing the world of sin.  That is why water for baptism is not just a physical sign, it becomes the very element for new birth; entrance into the faith and entrance into eternity at our funeral.  As the Lord washes away our sin so he opens the path for each one cleansing our sins.  A  Rite of serving the very needs of our brethren, forgiving any transgressions against us.  As Jesus used this example to his disciples we must do the same. 

Walk through a tree-laden forest and view the trees, so stout and fruitful.  Notice the branches that are majestic and flowering with many colorful leaves.  Their beauty comes from the nourishment of the vine, or the massive trunk that supports these branches.  Each branch relies on the strength of the vine to which they are attached.  Jesus remarked; “I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.  Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.”  (Jn. 15: 5 - 6).  Part of the Priestly prayer of Jesus before his arrest.  One of several pronouncements from Jesus as he continues teaching his disciples preparing them for his passion.  

Good Friday, a day of atonement, a time of anointing those who will lead by extending belief to their flocks.  As St. Leo the Great remarked in a sermon (taken from a reading of the Office of Readings); “Now there is a more distinguished order of Levites, a greater dignity for the rank of elders, a more sacred anointing for the priesthood, because your cross is the source of all blessings, the cause of all graces.  Through the cross the faithful receive strength from weakness, glory from dishonor, life from death.”    The words of Jesus speaking of the imminence of his passion; “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”  Afterward he said: “Now my soul is troubled, and what am I to say?  Father, save me from this hour .  But is was for this that I came to this hour.  Father, glorify your Son.”  When the voice of the Father came from heaven, saying, “I have glorified him, and will glorify him again.”  Jesus said in reply to those around him: “It was not for me that this voice spoke, but for you.  Now is the judgement of the world, now will the prince of this world be cast out.  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself.”  (cf Jn. 12: 27 - 32). 

Pope Leo continues, “How marvelous the power of the cross; how great beyond all telling the glory of the passion: here is the judgment-seat of the Lord, the condemnation of the world, the supremacy of Christ crucified.”

Easter Sunday; the Resurrection of Christ, the many appearances of the Glorified Christ recognized only through words and physical actions.  To Mary Magdala, “Mary!  She responds Rabbouni, which in Hebrew means Teacher.”  (Jn. 20: 16).  She recognized him through a word of confidence.  The very same confidence we find when the Lord speaks to our hearts.  

Two disciples traveling on the road to Emmaus encounter the Lord and only recognize him when he blesses and breaks bread at which he vanishes from their sight.  (Lk. 24: 30).  A familiar sign that we all can find through the Eucharist.

This is the culmination of the Paschal Mystery;  Service to one another through the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper.   Sharing in the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb on Calvary.  Recognition of the Risen Christ through the Sacred Mystery on the Altar of Forgiveness.

Ralph B. Hathaway, Easter Triduum / Paschal Mystery 2021