Holy Week at Home, part 1
In this unprecedented time of global pandemic, physical distancing, and shelter-in-place, living liturgically is a practice of hope, comfort, and orientation. Our day-to-day routines may be decimated by the essential mandate to stay home for the sake of us all, but the Church Year is still keeping time. It holds us still. As I wrote for my church on Laetare Sunday a few weeks ago, the second Sunday of our physical isolation,
“[Today] is still a day set apart to remind generation after generation that despite the challenges of the season, joy can be found. Despite the limits of our situation, we can draw what we need from God’s embrace. We cannot gather together physically in a sanctuary. We cannot greet one another with holy hugs or high fives. We cannot join one and all around a table.
“But it is still Laetare Sunday.
“Rejoice.
The church can be a stubborn mother. Those generations before us insist that we can have this this hour, this moment, this breath for worship and joy.”
Holy Week and Eastertide are still coming, beloveds. Despite our circumstances. Despite our separation. Despite our fear.
And we can keep the feast. Our stubborn spiritual kindred have given us ways to let church life flood home life. Which, to be clear, is all a practice in letting ourselves recognize God’s life swamping us whole.
So, Holy Week 2020 – let’s go.
Holy Week 2020
Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, there are the four last days of Lent (ending with Maundy Thursday), and then the Easter Triduum. I’ll outline each day with a scripture, a tradition, and a suggested practice or activity over two blog posts.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, sometimes called Passion Sunday, is both for joy and sorrow. We celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and mourn his coming passion, his suffering and death.
Scripture
A psalm and the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem found here.
Tradition: Red!
Red is the traditional color in the church for remembering passion. Often congregations will change the decorations in the sanctuary to red or even wear red together on special days like Palm Sunday or Pentecost. We can work with this!
Ideas:
Wear something red.
Eat something red – like spaghetti with meat balls, strawberry pie, etc.
Go on a walk — There are several ways to incorporate a walk with Jesus on Palm Sunday:
As you walk, contemplatively look for signs of passionate love and care around you; with each step remember every step Jesus took in resolute love for us.
With children (or just you!), hunt for red and wonder about how the Kindom of God might be breaking in/making an entrance wherever you find it.
Children might also enjoy a hosanna parade; find branches to wave while you walk and sing Hosanna (here’s a children’s video for the song)
Have a picnic — dates travel well, are often a pantry staple, and come from palm trees.
Make decorations for your door or table with branches from just outside. Hannah Bullivant offers a great resources for making beautiful decor with local, simple, and sustainable items.
Monday, Tuesday, and (Spy) Wednesday
Monday through Wednesday are the last days of Lent (technically, Maundy Thursday is Lent, too, but it has its’ own special traditions). They are a time of preparation and focusing on how we can turn from destructive habits to life-giving habits.
Tradition: Cleaning!
Traditionally, folks use these last days of Lent to get ready for Eastertide by cleaning house. This year I am going to couple our housecleaning with mysterious parables that help us remember God’s mysterious and wonderful Kingdom.
Ideas:
Monday
Bake bread – save some for Communion Thursday night.
Clean the kitchen, etc.
Tuesday
Tidy and de-clutter, appreciating the treasures you find and donating treasures to others (hold out of the way somewhere until we can safely drop off donations again).
(Spy) Wednesday
Story of Judas’ Plot of Betrayal and the Parable of the Lost Coin
Wednesday of Holy Week is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” in order to remember Judas and his espionage against Jesus. I also like to remember Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Coin on this day because it teaches us that even when we make mistakes and get lost like Judas, God is not happy until God finds us and brings us home.
Hide coins around your home and challenge the kiddos to a scavenger hunt! Tell them the stories of Judas and the parable of the lost coin and then let them loose to be like God and find each one that is lost!
Consider donating coins to the work of the church.
Maybe do a little sweeping!
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the last day of Lent and it ends with a BANG! On this day we remember Jesus’ Last Supper, how he washed his friends’ feet, and how he was betrayed in the garden.
Scripture
Find the readings for the day here: the Passover meal, a psalm, the Words of Institution, and John’s telling of the Last Supper.
Maundy means “command,” which draws our attention to that moment when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and said, “A new command I give you – love one another” (John 13:34).
Traditions: Foot washing + Tenebrae
Foot washing is a very Baptist thing to do. It is a ritual practice of complete equality and mutual service. You do not have to be ordained to do this thing that Jesus modeled for us.
Tenebrae, which means “shadows,” is a service where we notice the encroaching darkness of Jesus’ passion. You might think of it as an entrance into the spirit of Good Friday. The usual elements are scripture readings, usually with music, and a candle extinguished after each reading so that the room gets gradually darker. By the very end of the service the room is very dark, and everyone listens very carefully. Then, SLAM, at the same time the last word is read, the last is candle extinguished, and the reader closes the Bible with a loud clap. Everyone departs in silence.
Ideas:
Invite all in your house to supper together. Set the table with a candle or two. Gather a basin (big enough for at least one foot), a pitcher for water, and a towel or two. Set these things off to the side until after supper.
If you live alone, perhaps invite someone to dinner via video conferencing or allow yourself a contemplative evening with the Lord.
Maybe prepare a meal inspired by the Passover dinner Jesus and his friends would have shared.
After the meal, read the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17, 31b-35) and pray for the grace to follow Jesus’ command to love one another. Then, one by one, take turns simply pouring water over one another’s feet into the basin and drying them with the towel.
A few notes:
This is a beautiful and vulnerable experience. Often people find it difficult to let another person wash their feet, finding it harder to receive this kind of love than to offer it to another. If you feel safe enough to try, let the experience be what it will be. Acknowledge all of your feelings and sensations (giggles, tears, and nothing are all ok!). See where God shows up.
If you are doing this on your own, perhaps draw yourself a bath or soak your feet for a while. Let the water be for you the outpouring of God’s love. Let it hold, soothe, cleanse, and restore you – body and spirit. Receive the gracious presence of the Lord through whom you are never alone.
After foot washing, extinguish all but one candle and read together the betrayal of Jesus in the garden found in John 18:1-12. Clap the Bible closed.
Extinguish the last candle. Maybe keep a quiet hush for a few minutes, or for the rest of the evening.
The Easter Triduum begins at sundown on Maundy Thursday and includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and, of course, Easter Sunday. Stay tuned for Holy Week at Home, part two with more ideas.