Triduum

The time between Palm Sunday (sometimes also called Passion Sunday) and Easter Sunday is called Holy Week. During this period, Christians commemorate the last week of Jesus’ life: his joyous entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, his last supper with his disciples and his subsequent arrest on Maundy Thursday, his crucifixion and death on Good Friday, and the vigil at the tomb on Holy Saturday.

These last three days—Thursday, Friday and Saturday—are home to a special worship service, called the Triduum [TRID-you-um]. The Triduum is a single worship service that spans the Three Days. It begins on Maundy Thursday, but there is no dismissal; instead the service continues as people leave the church and go about their lives on Friday, when we gather again. In the same way, the worship continues from Friday night into Saturday night.

The old tradition of Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday began with a bonfire at sundown. Throughout the entire night, Christians would huddle together in the light and warmth of the fire, telling stories of the saving acts of God recorded in sacred scripture—Creation, the Fall, the Flood, the Covenant with Abraham, etc.—and pray together, waiting for the Easter dawn. At Sunrise, they would celebrate communion together and proclaim Christ’s resurrection. Many congregations celebrate either Easter Vigil worship or Easter Sunrise worship; both services are born out of this vigil tradition.

This year, as we have in the past, Our Redeemer’s and Shepherd of the Hills each have their own Maundy Thursday services. On Friday, Benson has a community Tenebrae service. Tenebrae is a simple, solemn service during which the Passion narrative is read in twelve segments. Each segment is accompanied by prayer and song, and candles are gradually extinguished until the worship space is left in darkness. This is where the service gets its name: tenebrae is Latin for “darkness.” Finally, Shepherd of the Hills will host an Easter Vigil service for anyone who would like to attend.

If you are in the Benson area and would like to join us, Good Friday Tenebrae is at Pilgrim UCC at 8pm. Easter Vigil is at Shepherd of the Hills at 7pm. We’d love to have you.

Good Friday and Easter Vigil will not have sermons, so I will not be posting any. I may try to find something appropriate to put up in their place to accompany you through the Triduum, but it depends on how much other stuff I need to do this weekend.

In any case, blessings to you this Holy Week, and may the joy of Easter be yours.