Religious Education with Mrs. Skelly
This Sunday is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy means "set apart." Christians set apart an entire week (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday) to recall the greatest tragedy and sorrow and the most important time in our history – the suffering and death of Jesus for humanity’s sake.
PALM SUNDAY
On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate Jesus’ joyful entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshipping him and laying down palm leaves before him. Jesus, along with thousands of Jewish people, were making the annual pilgrimage to the holy city to worship at THE holy temple and celebrate the Feast of the Passover (when they remembered God leading their ancestors out of slavery in Egypt hundreds of years before). Pilgrims had to be in the city no later than seven days before the beginning of the Passover Feast to worship at the temple and purify themselves.
But this joyous return to Jerusalem is only one side of the story of Holy Week.
By now many were filled with hate for Jesus, especially after he offered proof of His Divinity during a previous visit to Jerusalem where he announced…
Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; (Jn 10:25). The Father and I are one.” (Jn 10:30).
Many people did not believe Jesus. They called Him a blasphemer and wanted to see him dead.
HOLY THURSDAY
After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on ‘Palm Sunday’, Jesus retreated from the public to celebrate the Passover Feast with his apostles and tell them about His impending death. This was to be Jesus’ Last Supper with His apostles…
‘Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you” (on the cross) “Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”’ (His blood poured out in death) (Luke 22:19,20).
Catholics go to mass each week to remember Jesus’ last supper and his sacrifice.
GOOD FRIDAY
After Jesus’ Last Supper’, whilst praying in the garden, He was arrested and put on trial by the Jewish leaders, who did not believe he was the Messiah (God’s only son sent to save humanity).
Jesus was soon condemned to die by crucifixion. He was tortured and made to carry his cross to Golgotha - a little knoll rounded like a bare skull located outside the gates of Jerusalem (Golgotha means ‘skull’). There Jesus was crucified…
‘Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”’ (Luke: 23:46,47)
I asked Jesus… “How much do you love me Lord?”
He stretched out his arms and said… “This much.” And then he died.
Jesus died and was buried that same day. He arose three days later, on Easter Sunday…'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead' (Luke 24:46).
Christians believe that the events of Holy week were all a part of God’s plan to save humanity. Jesus lived, suffered, died and rose again to forgive our sins and show us the way to eternal life. God so loved us, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us and bring us closer to him. Let us reflect next week on the significance of Jesus’ last days on earth.Bottom of Form
Holy Week Prayer Reflection
St Mary’s School will be holding a whole school prayer reflection on the events of Holy Week next Thursday in the Church at 9:30am. All are welcome to join us.