Triduum

Triduum began tonight, and I am so thankful that we walk with Jesus over the next three days.

Tonight, on Holy Thursday, we remember the birth of the priesthood – when Christ asked his apostles to be servants – when he asked them to continue breaking bread  - when he, the Son of God, washed their dirty FEET! When he asked them to pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

I am thankful to have the Eucharist in my life – to be able come before God in adoration.

But, in order to get there, we have to walk the road to Calvary, acknowledge our part – that, like the apostles, we have fallen asleep when God has asked us to be vigilant, like Judas, we have traded on our faith for something materialistic, and, like Pilate, though we may have wanted to stand up for Christ, the pressures of the crowd have crushed us.

For me, reading the Passion out loud on Good Friday at church, playing the role of the crowd begging Pilate to crucify Christ truly is painful – but it forces me to acknowledge my own failings, when I have needed forgiveness.

We walk with Christ up that hill. We become spectators. Every time I listen to how Jesus picks up the cross – the very one on which He will be tortured – it astounds me. He so readily participated in the very event that will take his earthly life.

Tomorrow, we will revisit the Passion. And, we will remember that sweet, innocent Jesus, will shed His blood for us.

And on Easter Vigil, the reason for this excruciating suffering becomes clear. Our Lord has risen so that we might have eternal life.  We get to sing, “Alleluia” for the first time since Ash Wednesday. We fill our church with light and the blessing of Holy Water. We fill our home with color after a Lent filled with purple and darkness.

My wish for everyone this Triduum, is that whatever darkness is in your life – whatever sadness, whatever pain, whatever worry holds you captive – that light will flood your soul – Jesus light.