For the church, the many abuses of human life, liberty, and dignity are a heartfelt suffering. The church, entrusted with the earth’s glory, believes that in each person is the Creator’s image and that everyone who tramples it offends God. As holy defender of God’s rights and of his images, the church must cry out. It takes as spittle in its face, as lashes on its back, as the cross in its passion, all that human beings suffer, even though they be unbelievers. They suffer as God’s images. There is no dichotomy between man and God’s image. Whoever tortures a human being, whoever abuses a human being, whoever outrages a human being abuses God’s image, and the church takes as its own that cross, that martyrdom.
–St. Oscar Romero
As we enter into this Holy Week, we focus on the sufferings of Jesus: his betrayal, his trials, his beatings and whippings, his being mocked and misunderstood, his carrying of the Cross, and his painful death on that Cross. As St. Oscar Romero reminded his own flock decades ago, he reminds us today that Jesus still suffers in the lives of all those who today are tortured, abused, outraged, or martyred, and that we as a Church must cry out on their behalf as much as we would for Christ. In my own prayer this week, I will be especially remembering all those who are suffering in our own day and age, particularly all victims of war, violence, and crime; our African American and Asian American and Latino brothers and sisters who experience racism and violence; our immigrant and refugee brothers and sisters who are denigrated; our LGBTQ community who are misunderstood and targeted; our teenagers and young people who are abused or bullied; and all those who suffer offenses against their human rights, human dignity, and human life. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we have hope, I have hope, that God can and will raise up all those who are suffering to a new life.
This week is at the heart of our liturgical year, and I want to invite you to join us for the services of the Triduum – the great three days when we celebrate and observe the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is at 7:00pm on Holy Thursday night. We remember Jesus’ example of humble service, the gift of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and his betrayal in Gethsemane. The Church will be open until 10:00pm for private prayer.
The Memorial of the Lord’s Passion & Death is at 7:00pm on Good Friday night. We remember Jesus’ suffering and death on the Cross as we honor and venerate the Cross, lifting up our own prayers for the world. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 3:00pm on Good Friday afternoon.
The Great Easter Vigil is at 8:00pm on Holy Saturday night. We remember and acclaim Jesus as risen from the dead, the light of the world, and we see his new life as we baptize and welcome new members of our Catholic Church.
On Easter Sunday morning, Masses will be celebrated at 8:00am, and 10:00am. Masses on Easter will be more crowded, so please arrive early, be patient with one another, and extend your welcome to our guests.
Let us pray for one another this Holy Week.