Holy Week
A letter from your Priest
“ON THIS DAY THE LORD HAS ACTED; WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. ”
Easter Day
April 20, 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Holy Week invites us deeper into the unfolding of the joy of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, the solemnity of the institution of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday, and the deep darkness of Good Friday. For those of you who might recall, I have used the term ‘anamnesis’ to describe how time converges for us – so we become present in the past. We do not simply remember, we live into these holy days not as a looking back to a distant past, yet as though we are very present in these precious moments in our faith.
Christ was present for us through the faith and commitment of his mother Mary and the support of Joseph in the Incarnation. Mary and the women of Jerusalem remained present with Jesus on that gruesome trek to Calvary’s Hill. A foreigner and stranger, Simon of Cyrene, aided our Lord Jesus. Then, the holy Apostles, the faithful women who supported Jesus and the numerous other disciples were
left empty once the tomb was filled.
On the third day, the emptiness felt was restored when Jesus was resurrected. With his presence, they were filled – with hope and joy. We get to be a part of this hope and joy through a way of perceiving time merging, living into the entire account of our faith. We join Mary Magdalene as her tears of anguish become tears of joy upon seeing our risen Lord at the tomb. The resurrection of our hope is felt when we
are present for Christ.
We, like the Apostles, are filled with hope when we recognize Jesus’ presence. The practical side of this though is that the holy women and holy Apostles were present too. In togetherness, in presence of one another, we will have the opportunity to experience a joy that surpasses all understanding.
Be present to the experiences of the Risen Christ in your midst.
Be present to the grace and truth that changes our hearts and the world. As St. Paul says:
““ALL WILL BE MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST.””
In Joy and Peace,
Fr. Michael
Easter Letter pdf