Sacred Triduum rites bring us closer to Christ

Intermountain Catholic

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The Sacred Triduum begins with Holy Thursday, which is April 17 this year. Shown is the cross at Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center. IC photo/Marie Mischel

The other day I attended a Jazz basketball game. I was amazed at the level of enthusiasm the fans displayed, even if we are not having the best season ever! I thought to myself, "I wonder if we could generate this same enthusiasm for the great celebrations of Easter Week?" After all, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, also referred to as the "Sacred Triduum," celebrate and make real our ticket into heaven. What could be more important than our salvation and the promise of eternal life? I was pleased to have a ticket to the basketball game, but Christ offers me a ticket of infinitely greater value!

The theme of all these celebrations is love, namely, the love of Jesus Christ for all of us. The sacred and ancient rites of Holy Week not only recall the events of our redemption, but they make them real once again through Word and Sacrament. In a real and tangible way, we dine with Jesus at the Last Supper, accompany him on the way to the cross and rise with him to new life in the Resurrection. These ceremonies invite us ever more deeply into the love of Christ, deepening our relationship with him and encouraging us to live our lives in conformity with his.

We all live busy and even frenetic lives. It seems like there is no end to our "to do" lists. But this year, I encourage you set some time aside and come to the Cathedral of the Madeleine or to your parish church to celebrate Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Take a moment to read about these marvelously rich liturgies and spend some time in quiet prayer to allow these celebrations to touch your heart and soul. The love of Christ, expressed so eloquently on the cross, will cause you to cheer far louder than any three-pointer ever could!