Holy Week: A Week of Passion and Pain
Holy Week, the Week of Passion, is the pinnacle of our faith. It’s not just the end of Lent; it’s the moment when Jesus enters Jerusalem to lift us into the heavenly Jerusalem. Through His suffering, we rise with Him, walking step by step, wound by wound, on the path of the Cross to the glory of the Resurrection.
Our ancestors lived this deeply, dedicating their days to prayer and reflection. They spoke of living their own Passover—a sacred journey through suffering to eternal life. Passover is not just a moment; it’s a call to repentance. We cross over when we cleanse our sins with the tears of repentance, before Christ our Lord.
Speaking to MTV’s website, Father Charbel Khoury beautifully described the spiritual depth of the rites observed during Holy Week. The journey begins on Monday with the Rite of the Arrival at the Harbor, spiritually marking our arrival at the Resurrection with Jesus. It reminds us that we are walking with purpose toward eternal life. Monday and Tuesday are days of prayer and reflection, preparing for the days ahead.
Wednesday, Job's Wednesday (أربعاء أيّوب), focuses on Job’s endurance through suffering. The Church celebrates the ancient Rite of the Anointing with Oil, symbolizing healing and forgiveness.
Maundy Thursday sees Jesus washing His disciples' feet, revealing divine love, before offering His body and blood in the Eucharist. The faithful traditionally visit seven churches, recalling His trial.
On Good Friday, the Tabernacle stands empty, symbolizing Christ’s absence in the tomb. We observe the Rite of the Adoration of the Crucified and walk the Way of the Cross. The cross, once a symbol of shame, is transformed into a sign of victory.
Finally, Holy Saturday (سبت النور) is the greatest Saturday of the year. The Church waits in faith at the tomb, continuing to fast and hope. In the afternoon, the Rite of Forgiveness is celebrated, and at midnight, the Rite of Peace and the Resurrection Mass bring joy as Christ rises, victorious over death.
As we journey through Holy Week, we walk alongside Jesus in His suffering and triumph. In the Garden of Olives, Jesus stood at the edge of agony, not as a distant God, but as a man trembling beneath the weight of the world’s sin. While His friends slept, He wept. He poured Himself out in prayer. He sweated blood and cried out, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, but quickly added, yet, not my will but yours be done. His love, not the nails, held Him firm. He embraced betrayal, sorrow, and the Cross, not out of duty, but out of boundless love.
Holy Week isn’t about pictures or and attending rituals. The crowds who shouted “Hosanna!” on Sunday were the same ones who cried “Crucify Him!” by Friday. That is why Father Khoury calls us to true repentance, to deep, unwavering faith, not just during Holy Week but every day.
If only we understood the depth of the pain and agony Jesus endured, the weight of our sins He carried, and the love that held Him to the Cross, we would think twice before adding to His suffering.
He gave everything to lift us from sin to eternal life. The least we can offer in return is a heart that truly believes.
