During Holy Week I am moved to put on my red vestments. I usually wear them for the celebration of a martyr, but this week it is for the Martyr of Martyrs. Around the world there will be large processions for Palm Sunday, but here in Upland, California, we have a simple procession of our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Many parishioners hold palms in their hands waving them during the procession in imitation of those who welcomed the Messiah into the City of David. Minutes later, they will call for his crucifixion as the ministers and congregation proclaim the passion narrative. Palm Sunday begins the holiest week of the year. I feel excited, anxious, unworthy, so many emotions sweeping over me, overwhelming me.

On Maundy Thursday, the pastor and I performed the ritual foot washing. The people who agreed to participate struggled with shame and humbly accepted to be vulnerable to having their feet washed and kissed. It is an emotional moment and they begin to cry because they feel they are not worthy of Jesus but if they don't let their feet be washed they can have no part in him. It is a lesson in humility for priests to imitate the Lord's most humble service. The Mass does not end with the usual blessing but with a procession to the hall to repose the Blessed Sacrament. The parishioners will spend a few hours in vigil praying with the Lord in the hope of remaining awake with him and not falling asleep as did the apostles on the Mount of Olives.  

Good Friday is the only day of the year when no mass is celebrated. The liturgy is marked with the veneration of the cross. The priest and deacon present the cross for people to approach and kiss or touch: the instrument of our salvation and torture of the innocent Lamb who suffered and died for sinful humanity. You can imagine that this is a moment of pain for all those who approach: they groan and weep because the Lord had to suffer; they feel repentance for their sins and because humanity rejected the Son of God.

After communion, everyone leaves in silence and it seems as if the world is in darkness.

The vigil of Holy Saturday brings with it a sense of excitement. The darkness of the church is dispelled by the Easter fire, symbol of Christ, the true light that destroys the darkness of sin. This is a night of rejoicing as we hear the story of salvation and initiate new Christians into the Church. These new brothers and sisters of ours renew our hope and increase our happiness: although we sin, go through sadness, and feel pain because humanity rejected Jesus Christ, he redeemed us, continues to love us, and renews the face of the earth. An abundant joy that overcomes the pain of the previous days: Christ is risen!