Entering Into the Triduum

“Why is tonight different from all other nights?” The phrase appears at the beginning of each line of The Four Questions, traditionally asked by the youngest child during the celebration of the Jewish Passover Seder.

It’s a great question to ask ourselves as we enter into the Triduum. How was this night, over two thousand years ago, different than all other nights?  Holy Thursday began with the celebration of the Jewish Passover.

But Jesus didn’t take the traditional fourth cup and drink it on that night — He even asked if that cup might pass him by — because He knew what it meant.

He knew that He would be accepting the greatest sufferings any man could experience — but He accepted so that we might live.

Jesus accepted that fourth cup, mixed with myrrh, on the cross.  In accepting this cross and this cup, Jesus offered the final sacrifice that would atone for our sins and those of the whole world.

He would be the Lamb that would take away the sins of the world.  He would offer himself and take on every sin that was ever committed or would ever be committed — so that Justice and Mercy could meet.

He loved us that much.

Tonight is a night to remember all of that.  All the love, all the suffering, all the betrayal and ultimately our redemption.

Now is a perfect time to ask ourselves how we can enter into this night — this mystery and this Passover — in a way that we have never done before.   It begins tonight, but it isn’t meant to end there.

How can we be more present and aware of the magnitude of this event — even if we’re in the back of the church with a tired toddler.

How can we enter in more fully to the mystery of our Redemption that began on this very night, over 2,000 years ago.

It’s a challenge, with or without little ones. It’s a challenge to let go of all the worries, anxieties and distractions in our lives, and enter in to the holiest week of the year.

The good news is that God’s not expecting us to be perfect in this attempt, just that we show up and we try our lousy best.

I hope you get the chance to fully experience the Triduum this year.  Sometimes that means you aren’t going to make it to Church for all three days — and that’s okay — but if you can, try to get there.

The experience of being there with the community around you, hearing those words, remembering that sacrifice and suffering ourselves along side of Him — it’s beautiful.

It’s not necessarily easy, but most things of beauty don’t come easily.  They take work, they take participation, they take real effort.

Even if you have never gone to a Catholic Church, now could be the perfect time to visit and see what this faith is all about.

It’s a perfect time to see the beauty of Her rituals and the faith of Her members — and yes, even the sinfulness — because Lord knows we all need a savior.  We’re all in the same boat.

He died for all of us — Jews, Muslims, Christians, atheists, or whatever — and He came to replace  the Old Covenant with a New Covenant, opening Heaven to all of us.

Now that’s some good news!

Maybe it’s been a long while since you’ve been back to Mass?  You might want to grab a priest (well before the services) and tell him it’s been far too long since your last confession.  There’s still time.

Do what you need to do to get ready and prepare your hearts.

May God bless your Triduum!