Happy Thursday, everyone. One week from today we’ll begin the sacred
Triduum of the Church, the three days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday) that prepare us for the glory of Easter Sunday. This year, of course, those three days will look much different, but they are still vital for us to celebrate as we close out Lent and look to the glory of the cross.
Though we are separated physically, let us unite ourselves in prayer that we may be
one Church, one Body of Christ, in many places. I encourage you to prepare for these coming three days – and Easter – now. As I say every year, these days of the Triduum should look and feel unlike any other days. This year, of course, they can’t help but be. With Holy Week beginning this weekend with Palm Sunday, spend a bit extra time in prayer, perhaps reflecting on the Scriptures for this week, which you’ll find
linked on our website, so that we may go to the tomb of the Lord in order to rise with him to new life. Now, on to some news and notes:
• Speaking of Palm Sunday, I’ve attached a
video below that explains why
we will not be distributing palms to the community this year. For those of you who would rather read about it than watch a video of me (and I don’t blame you if you do!), let me explain. First, we want to honor the Harris County order of “Stay Home, Work Safe” and after much discussion with the staff and the Archdiocese, there really is no way for us to give out palms that doesn’t put either you or those who would help with the distribution in a vulnerable position. I know it’s not what any of us would want, but as pastor I have to look after the good of all our people and so this is my decision.
I wish it were not the case, but I ask you to please understand.
Additionally, palms are what we call a “sacramental,” an aid to prayer and devotion, not unlike holy water (which we also don’t have at the moment) or candles. They are not the sacrament itself, and since we don’t have public Eucharist available, it doesn’t seem right to risk possible contamination just so we can have something that signifies something that is missing. That would not be a wise pastoral or prudent move. The sacramental can wait. Our order of palms, which we greatly reduced this year, did arrive and so we will bless them and then allow them to dry before
burning them to make ashes (another sacramental, by the way) for next year’s Ash Wednesday. Think how powerful that moment will be!
Instead of distributed palms, I encourage every CtR household to instead
display a green branch on your front door for all the world to see. It can be any green branch you have at your disposal. Certainly doesn’t have to be palm branches – whatever green leafs you have will be fine. Attach them to the front door of your house, maybe with a red ribbon gathering them together if you want to get fancy. The idea is for us all to make a public proclamation of our faith in Jesus Christ, who entered into Jerusalem ready to meet the cross for our salvation.
I think it will be a great “visual” for the community, too. Think how usually we come home from Palm Sunday Mass and we put our palms by a crucifix inside, or as my Mom did when I was growing up, behind a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s there for us to see, but no one else. This year, however, we can offer the world
an outer manifestation of that entry of Jesus long ago on the front door of our domestic church.
Of course, this being 2020, you’ll want to take a picture of the green branch on your door, so please post it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and tag us using the hashtags
#weareCtR and
#hosannadoor, echoing the cry of the crowd as Jesus entered. Thanks for your patience and understanding. I know it’s not ideal, but this sacrifice is but a small way we can unite ourselves together in the sacrifice of our Lord, and all those who are giving up so much more through this terrible pandemic.
• To help you celebrate Palm Sunday at home this weekend, take a look at our website at
www.ctrcc.com/faithathome for additional resources. We’ve got some great links there to help you pray the celebration, and reinforce the lesson of this powerful day in our church. (There’s a great one on there about how children can especially take part at home – get ready to sing and process through your house!) And don’t forget to download the
worship aid and readings so you can be prepared for the
live-streamed Mass at 9 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube.
• I encourage you to check that
Faith at Home portal on our website often as we’re going to be continuously adding to it with resources for you to use at home. The Palm Sunday materials are up now, and later next week we’ll include additional information as it relates to Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Our various departments (RE, Worship, Youth Ministry, Adult Faith Formation) at CtR will also be supplementing additional resources on that page.
• We will live stream
Stations of the Cross on our
Facebookpage tomorrow, Friday, April 3, at 1 p.m. from our chapel with Deacon Jack leading us. Last week we did so from the main church, but we’ll use the original stations in the chapel from when the parish was established tomorrow. I think it will make for a more stable visual experience as there isn’t as much movement required in the chapel, and it will be nice to pray with the Stations that have been part of CtR’s heritage for the past 40 years.