Holy Week Reflection
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life
John 3.16
The Journey of Holy Week
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, as we commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to fulfil the prophecies. We recall Jesus riding into the city on a humble donkey—a deliberate symbol of peace and humility. As he descended the Mount of Olives, great crowds of people gathered to meet him, spreading their cloaks on the road and waving branches of palm and olive trees as a gesture of high honour and victory.
The air was filled with the joyful shouts of "Hosanna!", a cry of praise identifying Jesus as the "Son of David" who comes in the name of the Lord. This day invites us to reflect on how we welcome Christ into our own hearts and lives; it is a powerful reminder that while the crowds initially hailed him as their King with celebration, Jesus was beginning a journey that would lead him to the sacrifice of the cross for the sake of our salvation.
Artwork: Palm Sunday by Dr Stephane Rene
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, a day steeped in both intimacy and betrayal. We remember that Jesus gathered his disciples to share a final meal, where he performed the humble act of washing their feet, setting an everlasting example of servant leadership.
During this Last Supper, Jesus gave us the gift of the Eucharist, breaking bread and sharing the cup as his own Body and Blood—a perpetual covenant of his presence among us. Holy Thursday invites us to sit in that tension between the communal love of the Eucharist and the quiet courage Jesus showed in the face of his impending sacrifice.
Artwork: The Last Supper by Ivan Guaderrama
Good Friday
Good Friday stands as the most solemn and significant day in the Christian calendar, marking the peak of Jesus’ sacrificial love for humanity. After being unjustly condemned to death, Jesus took up his heavy wooden cross and began the gruelling journey to Calvary. Along this road, he pushed through immense physical exhaustion and public mockery, demonstrating a profound commitment to his mission of redemption.
Upon reaching the hilltop, he was nailed to the cross, where he hung in agony for three hours before surrendering his spirit to the Father. This day is called "Good" not because of the suffering endured, but because of the "good" that flowed from it: the ultimate act of selfless love that bridged the gap between God and all people, offering us forgiveness and the promise of salvation.
Artwork: Holy Saturday by Rachel Jardine
Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday, we enter a period of profound silence and patient waiting. We remember that after the agony of the cross, Jesus’ body was tenderly wrapped in a linen shroud and laid to rest in a sealed tomb. This "great silence" over the earth reminds us of the depth of his sacrifice and the reality of his humanity.
During this quiet time of reflection, we are invited to contemplate the mystery of the Eucharist; even in the stillness of the tomb, Jesus continues to offer himself completely to his Father for our sake. It is a day that bridges the sorrow of death with the dawning hope of the Resurrection, teaching us that even in our darkest and most silent moments, God’s work of salvation is unfolding.
Artwork: Jesus' body is taken down from the cross by Gen Nortan
Easter Sunday
Alleluia! Christ has risen!
On this day, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with profound joy, recognising it as the ultimate victory of life over death and light over darkness. It is a season of transformation and hope that invites us to rejoice in the promise of new life, moving forward as people of the Resurrection.
As we sing Alleluia, we are reminded that the grace of Easter is not merely a historical event, but a living reality that calls us to carry Christ’s renewal and peace into our community every day.
Artwork: The Resurrection of Jesus by Roman Sleptsuk
Easter Timetable at Our Lady's Parish
