BY GREG RICHARDSON

What Makes This Week So Holy?

It is not because these eight days are measurably more holy than the last few days.

I am a member of a liturgical church. We divide each year into liturgical seasons like winter, spring, summer, and fall. The final week of the liturgical season of Lent, which some churches call Holy Week, is this week. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is not on the same day every year. It is a season of preparation and anticipation for Easter, which begins a week from tomorrow.

During Lent we pause to remember, to reflect, and to recognize what we do not really need. This week is the final week of Lent. The opportunities for pausing are beginning to run out.

This week is filled with days of special significance on our liturgical calendar. The services throughout the week give an overview of the story of how Christianity began.

Palm Sunday

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday is one week before Easter Sunday every year. We remember what is called the Triumphal Entry of Jesus and his followers into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Our scriptures tell us he was received as the rightful king and as conquering heroes. People lined the way, shouting praises and throwing down palm branches to smooth out the unpaved road.

Palm Sunday is a dramatic reminder that someone can be received as a hero and, in less than a week, arrested and executed.

Many churches do not hold particular special services on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. It is not because those days are less important. Many churches are open for prayer and reflection.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday in Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday. The word “maundy” comes from Latin and means “command.”

We remember what is called the Last Supper and the arrest of Jesus on Maundy Thursday. The Last Supper is the meal Jesus shared with his followers before he was arrested. At this meal, he gave them advice and the commands which give Thursday its name.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/strategicmonk/2024/03/26/is-this-a-particularly-holy-week/