THE NEXT FEW DAYS

From the Liturgical calendar, Irish Bishops

Wednesday of Holy Week, 16 April

Today is called Spy Wednesday as Judas has left his mark on our calendars.  The pain of his betrayal is to be felt in the account of Saint Matthew’s Gospel.  And the phrase ‘thirty pieces of silver’ has gone into language currency ever since.  At the end of this Lent, which has seen us trying to purify ourselves of all that is not Christian, these thirty pieces of silver come before us as a warning.

Holy Thursday 17 April

Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through His Paschal mystery: dying He destroyed our death and rising He restored our life.  Therefore the Easter Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year.  The celebration of the paschal mystery is not simply a recalling of past events in history.  It is a sacramental celebration that renders present and actualises the saving power of Christ’s death and Resurrection to the Church.

– Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

The Scripture readings this evening direct our minds at the opening of the great Paschal celebration to the meaning of what we celebrate.  We are entering into this mystery in such a way that when we break bread and share this cup that we once more proclaim the death of the Lord. With this Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes herself to the remembrance of the Last Supper.

Good Friday, 18 April, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 

Saint John’s account of the Passion is more reflective and theological. He emphasises Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will.  The kingship of Jesus is asserted: the crucifixion is a victory, the hour of death is also the hour triumph. ‘Christ gives his life, he is “lifted up” on the Cross, but willingly’.

In contemplating the Cross of its Lord, the Church commemorates her own origin and mission to extend to all peoples the blessed effects of Christ’s Passion that it celebrates on this day in a spirit of thanksgiving for His marvellous gift.

Holy Saturday, 19 April Easter Vigil 

In accordance with ancient tradition, this night is one of vigil for the Lord. Saint Augustine called it ‘the mother of all vigils’.  The Gospel of Saint Luke reminds the faithful to have their lamps burning ready, awaiting their master’s return, so that when he arrives he will find them wide awake and will seat them at his table.  There are several different elements to the Easter Vigil: The Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The new fire is blessed outside the church, and its flames should be such that they dispel the darkness and light up the night.  All present hold candles to which the light of the new Paschal Candle is gradually passed.  The Liturgy of the Word follows with readings from sacred scripture.  The celebration of the Eucharist is in the fullest sense the Easter Sacrament, the commemoration of the sacrifice of the Cross and the presence of the Risen Christ.

Easter Sunday, 20 April – Easter Day of the Lord’s Resurrection 

‘Christ is risen, alleluia!’ This is the ancient Christian greeting on this day of great joy and happiness for all. Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts”. The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to Him. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1169)

The Easter Season The celebration of Easter is prolonged throughout the Easter season. The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday are celebrated as one feast day, ‘the great Sunday’.  This sacred period concludes with Pentecost Sunday when the gift of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, the beginnings of the Church, and the start of its mission to all tongues and peoples and nations are commemorated.