Holy Week

This morning our students gathered in the Church to share in the re-enactment of the most important event in human history, the events of Holy Week. 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

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday and it marks the beginning of Holy Week. On this day Christians celebrate Jesus’ joyful entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem. 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 Festival 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. for the annual Passover Festival. Word had spread about Jesus being the Messiah, and as he entered the city humbly on a simple donkey, crowds gathered to welcome him and worshipped him laying down palm leaves before him.

But this joyous return to Jerusalem is only one side of the story of Holy Week.

Many people did not believe Jesus was the Son of God. They called Him a blasphemer. They were worried about his popularity and and wanted to see him dead.   

Holy Thursday

After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on ‘Palm Sunday’, Jesus celebrated the Passover Feast with his mother Mary and his apostles. He knew this was to be his Last Supper and he wanted to give his friends the greatest gift ever… the gift of himself.  

‘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 and to be nourished by him.

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). It was against Jewish Law to kill, so they sent Jesus to be tried by the Roman Governor Pontius Pilot. Pilot condemned him to die by crucifixion. He was tortured and made to carry his cross to Golgotha - a little knoll rounded like a bare skull 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 to new life 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 the sins of humanity 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 during Holy Week on the significance of Jesus’ last days on earth.

Project Compassion

Many thanks to all who contributed to our Project Compassion appeal. St Mary’s has raised over $300.00 which is some much-needed funds for the poor and suffering of our world. 

Support for Ukraine

Half of these funds raised will be sent to support the refugees fleeing from Ukraine as well as those still suffering in the war zone.

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.

Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
May they never yield to discouragement and despair,

but become heralds of new hope to one another in this challenging time.

May you continue to inspire all of us to oneness of heart and mind, to work generously for the common good, to respect the dignity of every person and the fundamental rights which have their origin in the image and likeness of God impressed upon every human being.
Grant eternal rest to the dead and quick recovery to the wounded,

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.