Spiritual Direction Keeping Our Eyes On The Prize Of Lent

This will be a little backward or out of chronological order but in a series of articles about Lent and the coming Easter Season, I would like to start with the end first.

However, as I say that I must be careful because the Eastern Catholic tradition of Lent is much different.  For Eastern Catholics, we begin on Ash Monday and end the Lent season on Palm Sunday.  The last week is very special with some of the oldest Liturgies (Masses) in the Catholic Church.  

The entire Lenten Season is important and significant, but there are certain days that are more symbolic than the others. Those days include:

Ash Wednesday 
Palm Sunday
Holy Thursday 
Good Friday
Holy Saturday 
Easter
 
Palm Sunday 
Palm Sunday is the very first day of Holy Week, and it is a week prior to Easter Sunday. Most parishes will save the leftover palms from one year to burn for Ash Wednesday or Ash Monday service the next year.  This is symbolic of Jesus riding into Jerusalem to appear before the crowds of people welcoming him.  Many churches will celebrate with a procession around the Church and many members of the parish will make crosses out of their palms.  The rich symbolism of Christ's glorious entrance into the holy city is a precursor of the events that are about to take place this next week 

Holy Thursday 

Holy Thursday is significant because it commemorates the Last Supper, which was the final dinner that Jesus shared with his disciples. It is also the beginning of the Triduum which includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. 

The atmosphere changes on Holy Thursday when the girls and staff participate in the washing of the feet during the Eucharist that is followed by an elaborate Agape meal. This day is special because of the significance that it holds for each person that participates in this ritual. Then, a meal is served with notes of love and friendship that show Christ-like love and solidarity.  The centerpiece of this service is the symbolic washing of feet. In those days when everyone wore sandals or barefoot, the washing of feet was not an important thing to do, but it represented being a humble servant.  

Good Friday 
Good Friday falls on the Friday right before Easter Sunday. In the Maronite Church, there are two services on that day.  One service is at noon- the Signing of the Chalice and the other is at seven pm- the burial service. The Signing of the Chalice is one of the oldest Liturgies in the Catholic Church.  It dates back to when James was Bishop of Jerusalem.  It is a time of great symbolism and each participant will receive a pre-scientific Echuarist-in a very moving ceremony.  The burial service is done at night and the parish will put flowers on the grave. 

On this day, signifying Jesus’ crucifixion brings different activities including the Stations of the Cross. When the sun is less intense, everyone participates in the Stations of the Cross in procession around the different stations while they take turns reading the meditations and prayers.  Whether it is eastern or western, the Catholic Church can really get you into the spirit of Good Friday. 

Holy Saturday 
Holy Saturday is always the day before Easter. It represents the last day of the Triduum. On this day many years ago, everyone who knew and loved Jesus came together to mourn the loss of the person they adored. Today, in churches around the world, new members of the faith receive the Sacraments of Initiation and are welcomed into the Church at the Holy Saturday Vigil.

Holy Saturday is commemorated with a ceremony of the Veneration of the Cross. After the prayers, the processional cross is laid on the floor and the girls place a votive candle and stone around the outline of the cross to represent their transgressions and prayers. It is a day for confessions and preparation for the Easter service the next day. 

 Easter 

Easter is not part of Lent, but instead, it’s the first day of the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday. Easter Sunday begins with the Easter Vigil on the Eve of the Resurrection. Everyone comes together to celebrate the Resurrected Christ with the processional cross now adorned with flowers. Then everyone can say, ”Alleluya, the Lord has Risen”.

As we begin our Lent season, let us keep our minds on what we are doing?  Are we going to Church?  Are we doing what Jesus wants us to do?  Are we living a Christ-filled life?  If we can answer yes to these then we will have a very rewarding Lenten season this year.  Amen