What Happened to Holy Week?

For God so loved the world he gave his only Begotten Son.

As Easter Sunday has come and gone, there are many thoughts and feelings after processing it all. The season of Lent is technically not biblical. It is a season in the church first started by the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. According the Britannica: “A period of preparation and fasting likely has been observed before the Easter festival since apostolic times, though the practice was not formalized until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. It was a time of preparation of candidates for baptism and a time of penance for grievous sinners who were excluded from Communion and were preparing for their restoration.”

Even thinking about this initial purpose, there are many flaws in the logic and practice when it comes to what Jesus taught us to do. “It was a time of preparation of candidates for baptism. ”I can understand this to a degree. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change and commitment to God. There is a need to be committed to turning one’s life over to God with the understanding that God will lead if we decide to follow. God loves us unconditionally. Having unconditional love doesn’t mean we are free from accountability. God expects us to repent of ways we act that are not His ways. There is a need to be more aware of the ways we serve, love, forgive, and respect God’s creations.

“It is a time of penance for grievous sinners who were excluded from communion and were preparing for restoration.” In the final moments before his arrest, Jesus was in the upper room with his disciples. He has a meal with them. After the meal, he washed the feet of his disciples, an act of a humble servant. Washing the feet of guests was a common Jewish practice, but the washing was done by the lowest ranked servants. He then took a loaf of bread, broke the bread and shared with his disciples. He tells to this is his body, take and eat. Then he grabs the cup. He says this is the cup of the new covenant, his blood shed for the sins of the world. Whenever they have the bread and cup, do so in remembrance of Him. At no time in this act did he say you have to be part of a specific denomination, nor did you need to be in the best standing. He said that when you do it, do it is remembrance of Him. So, why have we as human beings decided we have the right to say on behalf of God who is and is not allowed to have communion? Why have we taken it upon ourselves to try and paint our denomination as the “best” or the “most correct?” I am a Church of the Brethren pastor. This doesn’t mean I think my denomination is the most correct. I don’t believe in the “most correct” denomination. I believe in doing my best to teach and study the word of God and helping others to do so. Out of other denominations I have been a part of, this has felt the most like home.

So, what does all of this have to do with Easter? Just as we have taken it upon ourselves to redefine the practices taught and demonstrated by God when it comes to communion, we have done it with the rest of our High Holy Days. I can remember being a small child in the early 90’s and how important Easter was. I remember the amount of days during Holy Week that I was at church. I remember stores being closed, other activities for the week being canceled out of respect for those with Religious activities. As time went on, as I moved from Tennessee to Georgia to Connecticut to Wisconsin, something changed. Part of it is culture. Part of it is the dedication to God and the willingness to sacrifice for Him the way he sacrificed for us. Holy Week doesn’t hold the importance it used to hold and it shows. Yes, attendance for church is down for most churches large or small. Holy Week attendance is practically non-existent. I hold people accountable for most of it. There is a lack of wanting to take time to attend something that isn’t seen as “necessary. "To throw some bones, I also see some folks unable to attend being workplaces don’t care about religious services and won’t allow for schedules to reflect a need to be in church. It is easy today to scream free speech as a way to try and get away with saying anything we want, but what an uproar occurs when someone says their religious freedom is being compromised! I see folks making time in their busy schedules for other activities in their life or the lives of their families. I wonder what would happen for the universal church if every one would be willing to make the time for church services. How would each one of us be better as spiritual beings in the world? How would we be better for our families?

The services that happen during Holy Week, in my opinion, are some of the most important services of the Christ-following calendar. Yes, without the birth of Jesus we wouldn’t have Easter. But, without Easter, we wouldn’t have eternity. For the Church of the Brethren, Love Feast and foot-washing is observed on Maundy Thursday. We follow the journey of Jesus as he prepares for his arrests, noting the final moments with his disciples and last lessons and prayers with them before the Roman take him. On Good Friday, the trial, flogging, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. This service typical is full of reflection and understanding at the sufferings of Christ on our behalf that we would have a fresh start every day. Easter Sunrise service typically involves the realization of the empty tomb and what it meant that glorious day!

I am sure someone will read this blog and think I shaming folks. That is never my intent. I am not a perfect person. I have messed up and made choices when it comes to my faith practices that I can’t take back. From a leader standpoint, it is just heartbreaking. I always want what is best for my church family and other people. I know that I can’t make decisions for everybody, nor would I want that ability. These Holy Week Services can grow and build bonds within the church family because of the intimate moments of breaking break and sharing in the word. Maybe I am selfish because I want to be with people who either have a relationship with God or want a relationship with God. I am okay with being that person.

May the grace of God be with you and remain with you always!