Fr. Tim Peters, S.T.D., assistant professor of Biblical Studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, recently spoke to OC Catholic about the Easter season and its significance.
There’s much to consider with Easter, according to Fr. Tim, some aspects that Catholics may even miss. But as we journey through the season of Lent, we begin to discover the richness of the Church.
“Think of it as you’ve taken the journey before,” said Fr. Tim, “but now you’re starting to take in the landscape – the hills, the valleys, the trees.”
As we travel on this journey, we as Catholics discover these beautiful readings that prepare us to understand the cross and the resurrection.
“The Church is tossing the gold gets to us during Lent,” added Fr. Tim, “and trying to say, ‘look at the beauty of the faith.’’’
The readings from the Old Testament help us see how God prepared for His Son to come into this world and give His life for our salvation. The readings of the New Testament show us how the purpose and plan of God reaches fulfillment in Jesus Christ the Messiah (the Anointed One).
PALM SUNDAY
As we enter into Holy Week, we relive what Jesus did. We re-encounter what happened as Jesus came into a Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling a great prophecy that told of a great and humble king coming to them (Zechariah 9:9-10).
As they welcomed him waving palms, the crowd sang “Hosanna” which is a petition petition for God’s salvation; just days later a crowd would yell, “Crucify Him!”
The reading of the “Passion” takes place on Palm Sunday. This year it was read from Mark’s Gospel.
“God could have saved the world in any way He wanted,” said Fr. Tim, “but He gave His own Son, and the Son is obedient and gave His life for our salvation (John 3:14-17). God chose this specific way to manifest His love, as a complete gift.
CHRISM MASS
During the Chrism Mass all priests renew their vow and commitment to the priesthood and the bishop consecrates all the Holy Oils that will be used for the sacraments throughout the year. The three holy oils are: Chrism (used for the anointing of priests and for those who receive Baptism and Confirmation), the Oil of the Catechumens (for those who are receiving Baptism) and the Oil for the Sick (for anointing of the sick).
This year’s Chrism Mass was celebrated on March 25 at St. Columban Catholic Church.
HOLY THURSDAY
This begins a period called the Triduum, a special word that underlines the period from Thursday evening through the Saturday Easter Vigil. It begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening which celebrates the institution of the Eucharist. However, the priests will often wash feet of 12 parishioners, as Jesus washed the feet of his apostles and set an example of how to serve others. For Jesus said, ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).
At the Last Supper, while celebrating the Passover, Jesus instituted the Eucharist. He took the unleavened bread that would be consumed at the Passover meal, and He said This is my Body… And He took the cup that was at the meal and said This is my Blood… The Mass is followed by a Eucharistic procession which recalls when Christ went to Gethsemane and prayed with His disciples in agony before He was handed over.
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER WASHES THE FEET OF A PARISHIONER DURING THE 2023 HOLY THURSDAY MASS AT ST. BONIVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ANAHEIM . PHOTO BY KIERNAN COLOFLORES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
GOOD FRIDAY
“What’s interesting about the Good Friday celebration is there’s no Mass,” said Fr. Tim, “and the altar will be bare. All the Sacred Hosts which consecrated on Holy Thursday are also used on Good Friday. The Triduum that goes all the way from Holy Thursday to the Easter Vigil is one long service, a beautiful liturgy and journey of faith.”
The readings are profound, especially important is the reading from Isaiah Chapter 53, “For many Catholics, the history of salvation is being presented before us,” said Fr. Tim.
After the Homily is the Veneration of the Cross. The Cross is carried into the church by the celebrant, and he stops three times. He sings out, “behold the wood of the cross on which hung the Savior of the world.”
People kneel with great emotion, and give a symbolic kiss to the cross.
“It’s a way of saying, ‘Jesus, you gave your life for my salvation,'” added Fr. Tim.
A MAN VENERATES THE CROSS DURING A GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE IN 2023 AT LA PURÍSIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ORANGE. PHOTO BY COLIN HORAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
HOLY SATURDAY
During the Easter Vigil, we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. It’s often a three-hour service that begins with darkness and ends with light recalling the darkness at creation before the Lord spoke. The Easter Vigil candle is lit outside in the darkness, followed by a procession into the church. The Easter Candle represents that Christ is the one true light of the world (John 8:12) and the refrain Lumen Cristi (the Light of Christ) is chanted three times and this is followed by the Exsultet (The Easter Proclamation) is also sung during this Mass.
“It’s an ancient song which dates back to the early Church,” said Fr. Tim, “and it recounts the great salvation we have in Christ our Lord.”
Fr. Tim added: “It’s saying to people, ‘we’ve been on this journey for 40 days… and now that we have walked with Jesus to the foot of the Cross and really comprehended the agony of our own sin and the absolute grace that God has manifested through Jesus’ Cross and resurrection, now we celebrate God’s definitive victory over death and sin.’”
Today, let us rejoice with Christ and await His return in glory.
THE EASTER VIGIL IS CELEBRATED AT ST. TIMOTHY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, 2023. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
EASTER SUNDAY AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL, 2023. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE