Paschal Triduum

Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter

By Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI

 The churches the world over celebrate the solemn Triduum of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. It begins with Holy Thursday where the Lord’s Supper (now made famous by Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper Icon) is celebrated. The powerful symbol of this celebration is the washing of the feet of the disciples. 

 The first day (Holy Thursday) tells the story of the Lord’s Supper.  It narrates how Jesus, a Rabbi or Teacher and Lord, ‘assumed the role of slave by stripping off his outer garment and girded himself with a towel, and he began washing the disciples’ feet’ (John 13: 4-5). It was so shocking a behavior for a Lord and Master that Peter could NOT believe it and he said to the Lord: ‘NO, You would NEVER wash my feet’. 

 The washing of the feet has become a powerful symbol of how the followers of Jesus are to relate to one another  - by serving one another. The gesture is a powerful illustration not only of ‘reversing’ the role of leadership in the community of disciples but also of how the followers of Jesus are to love to one another.  It is actually the witness of Jesus’ entire life. 

 As told in he Letter to the Philippians, Jesus though was in the form of God, emptied (kenosis) himself and taking the form of a servant and he became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2: 5-8)).

 The disciples, confronted by such an example, are, likewise, challenged to follow Jesus’ way and give themselves as SERVANTS.  It is NOT and option for the followers of Jesus but a DUTY!

 The second day is Good Friday or the celebration of the Lord’s Passion.  The narrative of St. John’s Passion tells us that the events of this day are NOT bloodless or cold.  The depiction of Mel Gibson’s movie, the Passion, is gory and bloody! 

 Definitely, Good Friday narrates Jesus’ suffering, pain, disappointment, grief and death on the cross.  The story of Good Friday makes us confront even the ultimate choice – the loss of life and not only the loss of life but also what appears as to be the loss of hope, of meaning and purpose and even loss of everything that makes life precious.

 Through the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, we again experience the ‘terror of Jesus’ arrest in the night, the uncertainty of his trials before the Sanhedrin, before Herod and ultimately before Pilate, the degradation of mockery, the shame of denial and the desolation of death.

 But all throughout the narrative of Good Friday, there is a recurring thread that runs. It is the LOVE of Jesus for us beyond all measure.  His life is a RANSOM for us all that we may have life to the full.  It shows us the PRICE paid by Jesus for us to have life and freedom in order to become God’s sons and daughters.

 The third day (Easter Vigil on the night of Holy Saturday) is the apex of all the celebrations – the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection.  It begins with the blessing of the new fire, celebrating that Jesus is the light of the world that now kindles in us a new hope.

 The Easter proclamation is a powerful message that Christians no longer live in fear or despair.  The Resurrection of Lord does not only lift the veil of grief but also empowers all to rise above all the vicissitudes of life with all its up’s and down’s.  It is the proclamation of hope over despair, life over death and grace over sin.

 Jesus, our light, dispels all the darkness of life.  The Risen Lord has vanquished death and the flame of the Resurrection continues to burn bravely casting out all hatred, bitterness and darkness in life.

 The Liturgy of the Word during the celebration of the Easter Vigil reminds all of the history of salvation by narrating from the very beginning how God continues to save his people throughout the history of humankind.  And in the fullness of time, Jesus, the Son of God, brings to perfection by his death and resurrection this saving work that God has begun in us from the beginning of time.

 The empty tomb has become the powerful symbol that Jesus is NOT among the dead. He is Risen from the dead and he is going ahead to our own Galilee to meet us there.

 This is the day, when we all renew our Baptismal promises and pledge once again to be the people God wants us to be!

 HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!