In this video, delve into the deeper meanings of this crucial time in the liturgical year, when we commemorate central events of the Christian faith. From the celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the night of Maundy Thursday, follow the biblical story and discover how these moments invite us to reflection, prayer and contemplation.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is one of the most powerful periods of the Christian liturgical year. It commemorates the Passion of Christ and his resurrection. In a few days, she goes through the central events of the Christian faith: the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, his last meal with his disciples, his arrest, his condemnation, his crucifixion, the silence of the tomb, then the announcement of the resurrection.
In this presentation, Pastor Helena Vicario recalls how this week is marked by decisive stages, both spiritual, symbolic and profoundly human.
Palm Sunday: the king’s entry
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. Jesus enters Jerusalem, welcomed by the crowd like a king. The scene is striking, and already paradoxical: the one who is acclaimed in triumph will soon be rejected.
The crowd spreads clothes as he enters on a donkey. This gesture, underlines the pastor, can be understood as a way of placing one’s identity at the foot of Jesus, of recognizing in him a singular authority.
Holy Thursday: the last meal and the service
A few days later comes Maundy Thursday. Jesus knows he is going to be arrested. Yet instead of speaking of fear or despair, he chose to share one last meal with his friends and speak to them of love, hope and the Kingdom of God.
That evening, he also performed the gesture of washing his feet. By this gesture, he presents himself as a servant and invites his disciples to follow him in the joy of service.
Du procès à la croix : l’innocent condemné
Between Thursday and Friday the time for the trial then takes place. Jesus, innocent, is condemned. He almost doesn’t try to defend himself, as if he knows that everything is already decided.
The pastor here evokes the figure of the suffering servant announced by the prophet Isaiah: Jesus advances in silence towards his condemnation. Then comes the horror of the crucifixion. Jesus dies abandoned by his people, even if the Gospel of John mentions the presence of John and Mary at the foot of the cross.
He then goes through betrayal, abandonment and even the silence of God. An extreme ordeal, which he also experiences, says Helena Vicario, to be able to join everyone in their own nights.
Holy Saturday: time of silence
After the drama of Friday, there is Saturday, the day of silence. A suspended day, marked by absence, waiting and uncertainty.
This silence echoes a profoundly human experience: that of the silence of God in our lives, when everything seems obscure, empty or incomprehensible.
Easter: believe that love is stronger than death
Then finally comes Easter, the culmination of Holy Week: the resurrection.
The Gospels do not describe how it occurs. They simply show the disciples in front of an empty tomb, confronted with an essential question: should we believe that love is stronger than death?
It is on this decisive question that the Easter faith opens. And this is also the invitation launched here by Pastor Helena Vicario: to believe, in turn, that life, love and hope have the last word.
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