Rev. Elisabeth Sinclair
Apr 7, 2022
Dear Christ Church,
I have heard that many parishioners travel away from Mexico City during Holy Week, including Easter, which will be a new experience for me. I am accustomed to Easter Sunday being one of the biggest services of the year. To those who will be away, I can assure you that I will miss you very much. If there is any way all of you can join some of the Holy Week services (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil), please do.
Anglican Holy Week services are incredibly powerful because they function as one whole story—of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection—divided into three separate parts/days. Each part has its own theme:
• Maundy Thursday: Jesus’ love and service communicated through the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples’ feet (*Participation in the foot-washing will be invited but is, of course, voluntary)
• Good Friday: Jesus’ arrest, humiliation, suffering, crucifixion, and death
• Easter Vigil: The ancient biblical promises of a Messiah, which included a millennia-long wait and culminated in Jesus’ victory over sin and death
We depart from the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services in silence to indicate the “to be continued,” unfolding nature of the story.
This dramatic story isn’t intended to brush past our minds once a year like a rake over a leaf-strewn yard. It is intended to grasp hold of us, pierce our lives, transform us, and renew us with awe, wonder, gratitude, and love. It’s a participatory story that asks our full presence.
I pray that the vulnerability of the crucified Christ and the power of the Risen Lord may be discernible, captivating, and inspiring for each of you, whether you will be near or far this week.
With love,
Rev. Elisabeth
Photo credit: Frances Miller