Supremely Holy Days

For Christians around the world, we have entered the most supremely Holy Days of our faith.  Catholics know them as the "Easter Triduum": Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Last Supper; Good Friday as we solemnly venerate Christ's Passion and Death; Holy Saturday as a time of waiting with Christ in the tomb.  This Triduum ends with the Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday evening.

As Christians, we journey with our Lord along the way of His suffering and death, knowing that the tomb is occupied for only a short time.  It is then that we see and realize the Risen Christ on Easter morning!  We can only imagine how the women felt - their shock - at seeing the empty tomb.  What about Peter and John who ran to the tomb to find the stone moved away from the entrance; to see the burial cloths empty and the head covering neatly rolled up?  Did they remember His words - that on the third day, He would rise again? 

In our hearts, we know that there can be no Easter without Good Friday.  Christ suffered and died for us to save us from our sins and to open the way to life eternal.  Let us walk with reverence and concern with our Lord along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering).  Let us venerate His Cross as we embrace our own daily crosses.  Let us remember our suffering brothers and sisters, those less fortunate ones who carry such unbearable crosses of poverty, sickness, mental and spiritual loss.  Let us gaze from the dark clouds of Good Friday to see the glorious Light of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday! 

May we follow Him who is our Way, our Truth and our Life - today and everyday.  Christ's Blessings to you, your dear ones and all peoples as together we sing, "Alleluia!  Christ is Risen!"