Enter the Mystery

Another offering from Fr Colin, as we reflect on the movements of Holy Week

1st Movement

Starting with excited shouts,
tearing down palm branches,
children darting about, 
teenagers climbing trees
for the best viewpoint.
More chaotic than kingly,
except that at the centre
is a smiling gentle Master.
Our procession, sedate by comparison,
walking two by two with palm crosses, 
no shouts but a dignified All Glory Lord and honour.


The mood changes dramatically:
denial, betrayal, trial and crucifixion, 
with all the fickleness of the crowd
and manipulation of the powerful.
The royal red of kingship however humble,
turns to spilt blood.
Passion chorales and silence
express this change of key.
Glad hosannas change to crucify him! Crucify him!


2nd Movement

The Disciples are sent to prepare a room,
the Master needs more than a donkey,
somehow there is a willing host.
So the twelve gather for the Passover
but the feast is not full of solemn joy.
Something is seriously wrong – hatred and dissension
fills the room.
Yet, despite that, the ritual proceeds
according to custom, 
until the Master says these words:
“ This is my body; this is my blood, 
do this in remembrance of me.”
Mysteriously chilling to those who first
heard them.
If that was not strange enough
then at the end of the meal
the Master wraps a towel around his waist
and washes the twelve’s dusty dirty feet.
How can any followers keep up
with the Master who is also servant?
Our feet washing is very symbolic.
Our welcome of the Holy Oils is special
but our Breaking of the Bread
not very different from a normal Sunday – 
until the starkness of the night’s message
is seen in the stripping away of all ornament.
Then we are invited into the darkness of Gethsemane, 
invited like the three closest friends
to watch and pray.
We feel some of their exhaustion
though without the anxiety
for unlike them we know the full story.


The celebrant reminds us that this is not
a re-enactment,
but a sacramental entering into the 
meaning of the event.


Before we stand anywhere near the cross
we need our lives cleansed, our feet washed.
We need to hear again the command to love
as Christ has loved us.
We look at our watches – we are ready for our beds.
Holy Week is already draining us.
There is nothing we can do about arrest and trial
except silently return to our homes
knowing this was a long night for the Lord
and for Peter, for “now is the hour”.


3rd Movement

The sun often shines on Good Friday.
There is a Friday as usual atmosphere.                                                                                                                       working, shopping, last minute Easter egging.
Darkness does not cover the earth ,                                   
there is no eclipse of the sun.
So we come to listen to the Passion
and we keep silence at the “It is finished”.
No further words or music necessary.
We venerate the cross
as we seek to discern the victory as well as
face the terrible suffering of the one we call Saviour.
We offer comprehensive prayers
for the church and the world.
We bring all to the foot of the cross
with Mary and John.
Then we are sustained by the grace of the
Bread of Life and depart in silence.



 4th Movement
Holy Saturday: the Sabbath is the strangest of days – 
empty, on the verge of more than a big announcement,
and yet intensely busy –
preparing for the night of nights and the climax
of the whole great week.

At last all is ready, the fire prepared
the candle ready, the flowers arranged
vestment pressed, music rehearsed.
Darkness will turn to light
from the single flame.
The hopes and fears of all the years 
are not just met but raised for all to see.
Christ our light intoned three times                                                                                                                             and our joyous Thanks be to God.
more than a match for poor Peter’s threefold denial.
The exaultet is proclaimed -addressed to all the world.
We sit and listen to the word that will lead us to                                                                                                                                                
our longed for Alleluias and the Gospel proclamation.
Baptisms may be celebrated promises are renewed
and sealed with the Bread of Life.
And we are sent on our way rejoicing
With Alleluias doubled for sheer joy.
All creation greets the Risen Christ.

The night of nights
turns into the day that never ends.
Christ the Lord rises in glory.
The Saviour who is the same
yesterday, today and forever
shares his victory with us
and promises that if we die with him
we shall rise with him
and see him in all his Easter glory.
And Alleluia is indeed as St Augustine promised our endless song!