Holy Week, Sacred Rhythm

Often the academic calendar is at odds with the schedules of our religious traditions. Although we may need to strain to hear it amidst the building pressure of a semester at its end, this week the sacred beat of our faith calls all Christians into a deeper rhythm that recognizes and celebrates God’s reality in the world. We recall our history and our hope. We cycle through the mysteries of life, death and resurrection. We are transformed into Easter people once again.

In today’s Palm Sunday celebration, we remember and become part of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. We wave palms. We sing our way into the church. But although the liturgy begins on a decidedly high note, it is not long before we put down our palm branches to hear of the betrayal that ends with Jesus crucified on the cross. With Palm Sunday, often called Passion Sunday, we kickoff the holiest week of the year. What follows the end of Lent on Wednesday is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Together referred to as the Triduum, or more often as Holy Week, they are, in reality, one liturgy spanning three nights.

With each, we are invited to reflect more fully on the mystery of Jesus’ saving sacrifice on the cross and the promise of his resurrection from the dead. On Holy Thursday, we touch the intimacy of Jesus’ self-giving way in the ritual foot-washing. On Good Friday, we embrace with Jesus the cross of death as the way to a life beyond all understanding. On Holy Saturday, we proclaim with joy the history of God’s saving love throughout all the ages. If you have never experienced the three-day Triduum liturgy, then I encourage you to take part in our community’s Holy Week prayer this week beginning each day at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Neuhoff Catholic Student Center.

In an opportunity unique to our campus, this week we have a chance to model for all unity among the many Christ-following campus communities. Beginning on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., the Catholic community will join other Christians from a variety of campus ministries including Campus Crusade for Christ, the Wesley Foundation, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Canterbury Episcopal, Victory Campus Ministries, Young Life and many others for a 24-hour prayer vigil on campus. Like Jesus prayed on the night before his death, we will be praying for unity among the people of God so that “they may be brought to perfection as one” (John 17:23). Jesus’ prayed that unity among his disciples would be a clear sign of the Father’s love. So we gather, in response to Jesus’ prayer, through the night on Tuesday and continuing all of Wednesday, leading up to a campus-wide prayer and worship service at 8:00 p.m. in the Umphrey Lee Ballroom. Check out the Facebook group SMU 24 Hour Prayer for more details about location and sign ups for specific times.