Month: April 2019

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

– Mark 9:23

When one enters an Episcopal parish, one of the first things that is noticeable is an altar and usually a cross above it or near it. In Roman Catholicism, it is traditional to have a crucifix (cross with the body of Jesus). These things remind us that Jesus was slain by means of crucifixion for our sins. Good Friday is the day that this event known as the Passion takes place.

Good Friday remembers the passion of Christ and the last events of His mortal life before He was sacrificed for us. It is an emotional day as every word that is heard brings us closer to Christ. One can almost feel what Christ felt. A man who knew no sin has died in your stead. But it is a day of sadness but it is also a day of rejoicing because St.Paul reminds us that there can be no forigveness of sins without the shedding of blood.

On Good Friday, the Passion Gospel is read and then meditations follow that are about the last events of the life of Jesus. Each event brings us further into the story and further to our ultimate redemption.

In Leviticus 16, we read of a lamb that is slain for all of the sins of Israel. The High Priest makes atonement for their sins through this sacrifice. Good Friday makes us remember that Jesus was both the High Priest and the lamb who would be slain. He had to die for our sins in order to reconcile us to God just as Aaron, the High Preist, did for the children of Israel. Please join the Church Catholic at your local parish for this ultimate service in remembrance that Christ died for you!

Thanks be to God.

During the Eucharistic Rite, the celebrant lifts up the priest host (bread) and speaks of the night before. What happened during this most important night? The answer is Maundy Thursday.

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus washed the fert of his disciples, broke bread with them and then resigned himself to the Garden of Gethsemane and prays the famous high preistly prayer in John 17.

What do we do? We do these same events on this night. The clergy wash the feet of the congregation and they do this in humility. Jesus was the King of Kings, yet He washed feet as if he were just a servant. It is a reminder to us all that we are here to serve and not to be served. Then, we celebrate the Eucharist. This is extremely powerful because we are actually doing it on the same night that Jesus instituted this sacrament. Then, the altar is stripped. Jesus is going to be given up to be sacrificed for us.

Please come celebrate in a local parish and remember that Christ gave up His life for you.

What is the Day??

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Matthew 21:5

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter celebrating Jesus’ triumphant arrival in to Jerusalem mentioned in gospels (Mathew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11a, Luke 19:29-40). The observance of Palm Sunday in Jerusalem was witnessed by the pilgrim Egeria in about 381-384. During this observance there was a procession of people down the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. The people waved branches off palms or olive trees as they walked. Shouting the antiphon, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The Palm Sunday observance was generally accepted throughout the church by the twelfth century. In the 1979 BCP on page 270 the day is known as “Sunday of the Pashion: Palm Sunday”, services for this Sunday start with blessings of palms followed by a procession into the church.

Some symbolisms observed from the gospels include Jesus riding on a donkey not a horse which can be seen to signify an animal of pace and not of war, others include the use of Palm branches as a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. 

What Does it Mark?

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:10-11

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. Palm Sunday is meant to be both happy and sad dad, singing praises for Jesus but sad knowing his death within a week by the same people singling praise. 

Did You Know? 

The palms used during a Palm Sunday service are saved to be burnt for use during the following year’s Ash Wednesday.