Holy Week!

Monday, 3rd of April

Holy Week

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week is a week that represents Jesus' arrival at Jerusalem. People use palms because it represents peace and victory. Jesus rides a donkey rather than a horse because it represents someone's arrival in peace like entering a war in a donkey for peace.

When does it begin?

Holy Week occurs on the last Sunday of the 40 days of Lent but before the 50 days of Easter. It specifically starts on Palm Sunday.

Setting

In Holy Week many people can be seen going to church more often in each day. Many churches can also be heard from metres away praising God. Plenty of families also pray to God at their homes, work or school by either praying the rosary or just saying a holy prayer.

Mood

The mood of people are very excited and glad and this is because many people can be seen or heard celebrating in various ways such as setting off balloons or at church praising God in excitement.

In the background, non Christians can be seen reacting to other people's feelings about Jesus. This is because they have only heard the bad things about Christ or they have another God which is against the law.

WALHT: Identify how Christians celebrate Holy Week.

Holy Week is a sacred and solemn week for Christians. Through their Liturgical celebrations - people walk with Jesus and each in the events that he suffered during his final week in earth. These liturgies draw us together, as followers of Christ. We are drawn as Te Whanau a Te Karaiti into these events (Stations of the Cross) as if each one of us was present there. By being part of the Stations of the Cross, we are sharing part of the life and love that Jesus himself gives us at this time.

Holy Thursday

Jesus and his friends gathered together to what we now know as the 'Last Supper'. Jesus gives himself to all those who are gathered in the Last Supper including his friends. Jesus gives himself in the Eucharist, he tells them, "Do this in memory of me". He gives his love and aroha in service by washing the feet of the disciples. He tells them to follow his example of loving service manaakitanga.

Good Friday

Jesus gives his life and love on the cross. He gives Mary to John as his mother. He forgives all those who have sinned against him, he reconciles them with God (asking for forgiveness from God) and he gives the gift of passing through death and life to God.