Holy Week Primer
This resource was developed by Rev. Dr. Chris Davies for a local newspaper in her region.
For people who identify as Christian, Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) is one of the most important weeks of our faith. I want to review this week in basic terms, for those who are curious about the fundamentals of faith, as it was offered in the Christian scripture, and carried through institutions to the forms where it operates today.
Holy Week begins with the bridge from Lent on Palm Sunday. I grew up with Palm Sunday: Palms waving in the aisle of the congregational church where I was baptized, the children running around in chaos and joy. I recall elders using them as fidgets, weaving them into crosses to bring home. In scripture, the narrative across the four Gospels tells of Jesus gathering his people close, and entering the city, with palms and cloaks laid before him and his creatures. Many Christians point, too, towards the imperial army of Pilate parading into the city on the other side, gathering force and showing off.
On one side, a peaceful protest. On the other, a military parade of force.
After the protest of palms, Jesus travels about, telling stories: uplifting the poor, and reminding people to love one another as God has loved them. He challenges his followers to turn towards faith in God, rather than faith in Country. Pilate’s forces gather in opposition, and still common people gather towards Jesus and his messages of hope and love.
On Wednesday; some acknowledge the betrayal in action. Called “Spy Wednesday,” some of Jesus’s revolution flipped sides and went to the cops. To be clear, on this day we tell the story of Judas beginning to conspire with the Roman Empire. Christians might also remember that time Jesus flipped the tables in the temple, running out the money changers with a whip, saying ‘this house of worship is for ALL, and y’all gon’ be here profiting on the poor? I don’t think so.’
On Thursday, called “Maundy Thursday,” modern Christians settle into the motions of holiness echoed through centuries. There may be feet-washing, where those who are the most and multiply oppressed are cared for. There will most likely be a retelling of the Last Supper, offering each other the bread of life, and the cup of a new covenant; and reminding each other that there is room at the table for ANYONE who wishes to join. Whether doubting, denying or even betraying, Jesus offered his sacrament of hope for a new world order. He also offers warning—the Government was coming for him. He knew what Judas had done.
Holy Week’s Friday is the day of Christ’s death. He leaves the disciples and goes to pray by himself in the Garden. There, he prays—God, please, do I really have to do this!?
…and he is identified by Judas, picked up by the State, placed in jail on false charges in a circus of a trial, and tortured. His friends abandon him, his enemies mock him, he is alone. He is nailed to a cross in the preferred public execution method of the time. The seven “last words” of Jesus are his pleas for mercy and death, and offering comfort to his companions; also there hanging. He dies.
I have memories of the darkness of sanctuary, and the bell tolling to indicate the death of Jesus.
On Holy Saturday, Christians sit with the state-sanctioned murder of Jesus. We sit with the horrors of our faith, and how it functions in the world. How do we—humanity—do this, again and again to the prophets among us? How do we make sense of the reality that Holy Week has been one of the most dangerous times for Jewish siblings? Where do we go from here? And how might our faith function differently, today?
Easter Sunday morning, as the sun rises, Christians will yet again approach the metaphorical tomb to witness what is to follow. We will gather in sanctuaries and parks, our homes and with our families, making meaning yet again of how we might hold onto hope while the world crumbles.
The story isn’t over yet, even as it seems all hope is lost.
OUR story isn’t over, yet.