The Crux of Our Faith

The Triduum is a time whereas we as a believing community dissect the Paschal Mystery. We carefully take it apart, and look at each piece of it. We study, reflect and ponder the piece we are looking at. The highlight of our liturgical life comes tonight a the vigil. Some people like roller coasters I like doing the Triduum.

At the Ordination ritual the Bishop gives the newly ordained priest the chalice and paten, with the direction to believe in the mystery one is celebrating, and to imitate that same mystery. With this the Priest begins his work of preaching, teaching, and sanctifying. This weekend is really the springboard for that work. The Paschal Mystery establishing a communion between God and all men and women. For the Church, it continues on the mission and ministry of Jesus in proclaiming 'Good News.'

On Thursday and Friday our H.S. students did a fast for hunger. Bread and water for 24 hours. They were are the Mass of the Lord's Supper, Friday Morning Prayer, and the Veneration of the Cross. For some this was a powerful experience of making that connection between the suffering and death of Christ, and their own dying to self. Again it was an imitation of the mystery that they celebrate.

At mass we proclaim, "Lord by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free, you are the Saviour of the World." This profession of faith makes more sense after we have looked at all of the part very closely, and have experienced professing faith. In the collection of books, Jesus Freaks, we can read about ancient and modern martyrs. What makes them do this standing for truth, and standing with the anawim. I am convinced it is their full and complete understanding of what they are celebrating in the Paschal Mystery.

My Great Grandmother, who escaped eastern Europe at the time of the Russian revolution, settled in Chicago, then moved to Rockford. Every afternoon she would sit in her rocking chair and pray the rosary. When we grandchildren would come to visit their house, she always a joyful smile on her face. She would bring us a plate of fig newtons. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.