News & Notes

VBS 2013 Daily News: Tuesday

Posted on June 18, 2013 by HTOC in Vacation Bible School

Training Table Basics: What Christians Need to Compete –
Students Learn about a Healthy Spiritual Diet

State College, PA – Today, Holy Trinity VBS students learned that you are what you eat. If someone wants to be a great athlete, he or she must eat a balanced diet from the five food groups. He or she must also avoid junk food. Some foods are unhealthy and can cause heart problems. Others foods help to build bones and muscles.

In much the same way, the students explored five “spiritual” food groups:

The Spoken Word (Romans 10:17) We hear it. We grow spiritually as others preach and teach.
The Written Word (1 Tim. 4:13) We read it. We grow spiritually as we read the Bible.
The Living Word (John 6:35-51) We see it. We grow spiritually as we see Christ’s example.
The Learned Word (Psalm 119:11) We know it. We grow spiritually as we memorize and learn scripture.
The Personalized Word (2 Cor. 3:2-3) We live it. We grow spiritually as we start doing the things the Bible instructs us we should do and quit doing the things it tells us we shouldn’t do.

It’s not good enough to know the “spiritual” but how to deal with these if we are to grow in Christ.

Look at it – Doesn’t help us much.
Taste it – Try to understand a little of it.
Digest it – Try to understand much of it.
Use it – Apply the things we understand.

What’s in the Book?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes even his own life — he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

To be a great athlete, one must be committed to his/her sport. You have to love it. If you want to be the best you must give it your best effort. This scripture does not mean you must actually hate your parents, family, and yourself, but that your love for Christ must be so much stronger than your love for them that it is like the difference between love and hate. Christ must be your first priority. When you have to make decisions, Christ must be first! Christ must be more important to you than even yourself.

To some Christ means nothing, to others Christ means something, and to others Christ means everything. What does Christ mean to you?

FPO – For Parents Only

Don’t forget that TOMMOROW (Wednesday) there will be Vespers at 5:00 p.m. Bring your kids early for worship (dinner will be served following).

VBS 2013 Daily News: Monday

Posted on June 17, 2013 by HTOC in Vacation Bible School

Students Start Training for a Lifetime as VBS Kicks Off!

State College, PA – Holy Trinity’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) is up and running again and this year, that is especially true.

Since kids generally like to play sports and games, the theme for this year’s VBS is “Running the Race. Going the Distance.” The focus of the week is to help guide students in dealing with the choices they have to make every day–to point them in the direction of their eternal destiny. One of the best descriptions about our Christian walk is one that Paul wrote about running the race (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

Related: Vacation Bible School Homepage

As background to Paul’s reference to “running the race,” one of the most famous of the Greek athletic festivals–the Isthmian games–was held near Corinth. In ancient times they were held every other year and created a sense of brotherhood. Games like these were the greatest gatherings of people in the Greek culture. Wars were temporarily stopped in order to participate in the games.

Only pure-blooded Greeks who had done nothing to forfeit their citizenship were allowed to participate in the games. For ten months competitors trained and avoided things that might hurt their chances for victory. The prize was a pine wreath from a sacred grove nearby, and although the prize didn’t last very long, victory was also one of the greatest honors a Greek could receive. The victor was often welcomed home with the same honor as a victorious general, the wall of his town being thrown down that he might pass inside as a conqueror. His statue was often set up by his fellow citizens. Yet in time he was forgotten and his glory, like the twisted pine branch, faded away. Winning was everything and losers in the games received no mercy. “The Wreath or Death!” was the motto of the participants and in many events, the loser actually did die.

Characteristics of Good Athletes

Students today discussed what it takes to be a good athlete and those same characteristics also build good Christians including strength, confidence, self-discipline, and a desire to win.

FPO – For Parents Only

VBS will conclude each day with fun activities at Holmes-Foster Park (unless it is raining).
On Wednesday and Friday, VBS will begin immediately following Vespers, which begins at 5:00 p.m. Bring your kids early so that we worship together.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – 1 Cor. 9:24-27

Out of the Depths I Cry Unto Thee

Posted on June 1, 2013 by HTOC in Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Features, Orthodox Spirituality

by Fr. Basil Biberdorf

At every vespers service we sing “Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.” In the wake of the death we have witnessed recently, particularly the monster of a tornado last month in Moore, Oklahoma, words like these become the unutterable cry of the heart. It was an EF5 tornado, the strongest category with 200+ mph winds, and estimated at over one mile wide, which destroyed two elementary schools at dismissal time and wiped entire neighborhoods off the map. Parents and rescuers were left to search for children, other loved ones, and pets in the rubble, working against time, power outages, and road closures to save those whom they could. At the end of the confusion and chaos, the final death toll stood at 24, including 9 children.

What kind of God lets this happen? We could ask the same thing about the EF5 tornado that struck Moore previously in 1999, killing 40, or the EF5 that struck Joplin, Missouri, in May 2011, killing 162. Indeed, we ask the same thing about all manner of disasters of any origin. How can God allow this? Why doesn’t God do something?

The mystery for us is that God has done something. Fr. Thomas Hopko summarizes: “John Chrysostom has a sermon where people say, ‘Why doesn’t God do something?’ And he says, ‘What do you want Him to do?’ And then he went through this whole litany of everything that God does: He creates the world, we fall. He sends the prophets, He gives the Law. He gives the Commandments. Finally, he sends His own Son. Ultimately, he is crucified. What more is there? So when Jesus, hanging on the Cross, says, “It is fulfilled (tetelestai in Greek, sometimes translated, “It is finished”), it doesn’t simply mean it’s the end of the story. It means that it’s the total accomplishment of everything. Everything now is done. Nothing more can be done.”

The whole world—not just humanity, but the entire created order—was corrupted because of us. Before the Fall, there was no sin, and there was no death. Before the Fall, the destruction we witness from these disasters could not even be contemplated, for, without death, there is no true disaster. In the Fall, not only man is corrupted, but all of creation. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned,” as St. Paul puts it in Romans 5:12. And, lest we condemn Adam, we must acknowledge that each of us would have sinned in the same way, insisting on our way rather than God’s, and the same destruction would be the result.

God has done something. He ascended the Cross. He partook of the death He did not create, suffering it as one for whom nothing could be more alien. He, too, cried out, “Why have You forsaken me?” with the groaning and anguish that went far deeper than ours could. He, too, cried from the depths. Life Himself entered into death in order to wage war against it, in order to liberate us from it.

Where is God in all of this? On the Cross, His arms open wide in the embrace of His beloved. Those who have reposed have entered into a death that is not permanent because of this embrace. “For as in Adam, all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Editor’s Note: Fr. Basil wishes to acknowledge Chad Bird, who wrote an article that inspired this one. Fr. Thomas Hopko’s talk, “Word of the Cross” can be accessed here.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Posted on June 1, 2013 by HTOC in Features, Natural Church Development

by Fr. John Reeves

Last summer, parish ministry leaders pondered and prayed about options for our future growth. Specifically, they were as follows:

A. Do Nothing (in regard to Real Estate): Purchase no additional property but possibly add a second service to the Sunday schedule, i.e. an “early” liturgy in addition to the current format.

B. “Hive Off” Another Mission Congregation: Maintain HTOC as the “mother church” for a second mission to be planted in a new community about a half-hour’s drive from here (our first mission being the Chapel of the Holy Spirit).

C. Keep Our Sparks Location for a Ministry Center, but Relocate Worship to a New Site: The current location could be a student center or community outreach location.

D. Purchase Adjacent Property When It Becomes Available: Utilize adjoining facilities for offices, classrooms, and meeting space.

E. Relocate to New Site: Build a new, traditionally-designed church on a suitably located site.

Leaders analyzed each option, its strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and threats each might pose. This information was then evaluated by clergy staff for completeness: Were the right questions asked? Were the solutions proposed realistic and attainable? Did the option advance or hinder our mission?

Finally, this spring, Parish Council met in working session on May 18 to review the options and narrow the field for the church-at-large to begin to arrive at consensus over the coming months. The result of many months of deliberation, discussion, and debate was ultimately to present two options for parish consideration: Options “D” and “E”.

The other options were rejected in part because they either split the parish into two congregations—the early service congregation and the late service congregation, or the mission congregation and the “mother-church” congregation—or because of cost. (Option “C” was by far the most costly of the five.) These were not the only considerations, either for Options “D” and “E”, or against the first three.

The Council is to be commended for its willingness to sift through all the options and give the parish the benefit of its collective wisdom. Two things emerged during this process. Parish Council is united in wanting our parish to grow further, in obedience to the Great Commission; and Council believes strongly that our parish needs to remain “one in essence, and undivided.” (Where have we heard that before?)

Where does this leave us now? Over the summer, both options will be displayed on “response boards” in the Parish Hall. Everyone will have the opportunity to ask more questions and reflect honestly over what might be the best choice for our future. An informational meeting will be held early this fall, for open response and reflection. A parish vote could be held as early as the annual meeting in late autumn.

Vacation Bible School 2013:
Running the Race. Going the Distance.

Posted on June 1, 2013 by HTOC in Features, Vacation Bible School

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

There are different ways that writers, songwriters, and poets tell the story of life. Some describe life as a tempestuous sea in need of a pilot. Others describe it like a battlefield full of danger and threat. Yet others describe life as a journey to be traveled.

But life is also a race. That is the way St. Paul looks at it in 1 Corinthians (9:24-27):

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

A phrase from St. John’s gospel helps us to picture St. Paul’s race when he writes that Jesus, “enlightens every man that comes into the world” (1:9) When life begins, God lights the torch. It is ours to live and run, keeping the torch burning. It was said that the ancient torch race was a symbol of all life. This torch is inside: in the same place where the still small voice speaks, a flame is burning. That flame is the light of life. On the altar of the soul, there is a fire which must not go out. Keeping the inner fires burning is about the hardest task in life and St. Paul suggests some ways to do it.

First, he says, “run that you may obtain it.” That is to say, get to the goal without letting anyone or anything else put out your light. Obtaining a worthwhile goal is attaining life. Rain and floods and wind come to extinguish the flame within the body’s temple where the Spirit dwells and must guard it.

Second, note that Paul also writes, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” If the first goal is to get to the goal without letting anyone or anything else put out your light, the second appeal is to “get there” without putting out your own light.

A person who lacks self-control puts out his own light. For each light that is blown out by somebody else, there probably are many more which are put out by one’s own self. We are both our own best friends and worst enemies. What people say about us often hurts more than what they do against us, but the thing that hurts most is what we do against ourselves.

It is important to understand that the more intense one’s life and light, the stronger the temptation will be to burn it out quickly. The higher the ideals, the keener the conscience, the finer the soul, greater are the temptations. If you have much light, you need much control. To be set free by Christ means that one’s own light will never be put out. Rather it will see us through.

Finally, this passage encourages us to choose a worthwhile goal in life and move toward it; to really to keep our eyes on the goal. Losing sight of a worthwhile goal frequently causes us to take the short view of life, which makes pessimists and spreads the feeling of defeat. Our faith enables us to see the present (that’s the short view) as only a page in the large volume of life (that’s the long view). One page may be splattered with tragedies, defeats and heartbreak, but it is the whole volume that matters.

To be a successful athlete it takes more than just showing up on game day or at race time. It takes preparation, discipline, sacrifice, smart choices, desire to win, and confidence. In St. Paul’s Corinth, a competitor trained and avoided all the things that might hurt his chance for victory. If he did this, he would win the prize of a pine wreath placed on his head—it was one of the greatest honors a Greek could receive. Likewise Christ wants us to endure, to fight to the end and beyond, to stand steady when all others have run for cover, and to hold aloft the banner of righteousness.

Benefit Bicycle Ride to take place Saturday, May 18

Posted on May 8, 2013 by HTOC in Announcements

A benefit bicycle ride for Devon (Africa) Jacobs–a member of our parish’s extended family suffering from leukemia (AML)–will take place on Saturday, May 18. Cyclists will begin and end at the Meadow Grove Road Sportsman’s Club in Newport, PA, traveling a total of 13 miles alongside the picturesque Juniata River. The pace has been described as “leisurely” with plenty of stops. A picnic will also take place after the ride.

All funds will help defray Devon’s mounting personal, household and travel expenses, all stemming from her not being able to work since relapsing earlier this year. With conventional treatment forms exhausted, including extensive chemotherapy, her most likely final treatment phase will be a stem cell transplant through a promising National Clinical Trial at City of Hope Hospital in California.

Both riders and sponsors are being sought. Checks can be made payable director to Devon C. Jabobs and mailed to Jay & Adam Jacobs, 405 Meadow Grove Road, in Newport, PA (17074). For more information, please contact info@holytrinity-oca.org.

Christ is Risen!

Posted on May 5, 2013 by HTOC in Features

Christ is Risen! From the Paschal Message of St. John Chrysostom:

If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in no wise be deprived there of. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; he gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.

And he shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one he gives, and upon the other he bestows gifts. And he both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.

Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a Body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

About the Author: St. John Chrysostom (347-407), Archbishop of Constantinople, was a notable Christian bishop and preacher from the fourth and fifth centuries in Syria and Constantinople. He is famous for eloquence in public speaking and his denunciation of abuse of authority in the Church and in the Roman Empire of the time. He had notable ascetic sensibilities. After his death he was named Chrysostom, which comes from the Greek Χρυσόστομος, “golden-mouthed.” The Orthodox Church honors him as a saint (feast day, November 13) and counts him among the Three Holy Hierarchs (feast day, January 30), together with Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian. (from orthodoxwiki.org)

Overnight Parking Ban Lifted for Pascha

Posted on May 4, 2013 by HTOC in Announcements

At the request of Holy Trinity, the Borough of State College has lifted the 2 to 6 a.m. street parking ban on all the surface roads surrounding the church.

In addition to on-street parking on North and South Sparks Street, other suggested places to park include Patterson and Gill Streets, Nittany Beverage (139 N. Patterson St.) and the former Montessori School (300 S. Sparks St.).

Tonight’s Divine Services for Great and Holy Pascha begin at 11:30 p.m. with the chanting of Nocturns. Following the rush procession, the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection continues with Matins, Hours, and the Divine Liturgy sung in quick succession. The blessing of baskets and a festal meal follow in the Parish Hall.

All are invited.

Family Pascha Guide

Posted on April 29, 2013 by HTOC in Features, Sunday School Scoop

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

As we draw near to Pascha, our journey becomes more intense and our anticipation of the Great and Saving Night grows. The anticipation is particularly acute in children and parents should be prepared to take advantage of their curiosity. Below are some notes and tips to assist parents in guiding their children during the Paschal weekend (April 12-15).

Matins of Holy Friday (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
This service features the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels. The first gospel relates Christ’s discourse with His disciples at the Last Supper, the next ten gospels relate the Lord’s sufferings, and the last gospel describes His burial and the sealing of the tomb. These readings provide the narrative for the events that take place while the accompanying hymns sung throughout the service clarify and give deeper meaning to the text. Between the fifth and sixth gospels there is a solemn procession with the large wooden cross from the sanctuary into the center of the nave. We find additional clarity when visible actions are added to the gospels and hymns.

Parent Tips

This is a lengthy service so give your children advance notice (so you can limit the number of times the question of “how much longer?” is asked.)
Focus your children on how the text advances the events or provides additional detail in each subsequent lesson. If possible, read these gospels with your children prior to the service.
As always, everyone should stand or kneel during the gospel readings.
Explain to your children that although Matins is a morning service, this service is “anticipated” and is celebrated on Thursday evening.

Royal Hours (Friday, 10 a.m.)
There is no liturgy on Holy Friday since the Divine Liturgy is always a celebration of communion with the Risen Lord. We do however read the Royal Hours on Friday morning. This service takes its name from the fact that it used to be officially attended by the Emperor and his court in Constantinople.

Parent Tips

If you cannot attend, you can teach your children the significance of each of the hours: First—when Christ was led into the Praetorium (i.e., the palace of the governor) before Pilate (~7 a.m.). Third—when the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles on Pentecost and Christ was condemned by Pilate (~9 a.m.). Sixth—when Christ was released to the Jews, condemned, and nailed to the Cross (~12 noon). Ninth—when He died on the Cross (~3 p.m.).
This is the strictest fast day of the year. Help your child as much as possible to refrain from eating other than minimally.

Unnailing Vespers (Friday, 4 p.m.)
At Vespers on Holy Friday, the shroud (a large icon depicting Christ lying in the tomb) is lifted by the priest from the altar table and then carried in procession out of the altar to the specially prepared tomb in the middle of the church.

Parent Tips

The service’s structure is like Saturday Vespers so children should be able to recognize most parts.
The Gospel reading tells the story of the Christ dying on the cross. Don’t be afraid to discuss with your children (of all ages) that Christ really died and this is the story of how He died.
The most moving and solemn part is the carrying of the shroud to the special tomb. Children quickly understand this movement just as the children understood Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
You can show your child that the same words (“The Noble Joseph…“) sung during the carrying of the shroud are embroidered on the edge of shroud.
Ask your child what Joseph of Arimathea (i.e., the “Noble Joseph”) may have been thinking as he carried the lifeless Body of our Lord to the tomb.

Lamentations (Friday, 7 p.m.)
During Matins of Holy Saturday, the tone and theme gradually changes from lamentation to victory over death. We stand before the tomb—but it is revealed to us as the life-giving tomb. The shroud is carried in a procession around the church while all the people (including children) carry lighted candles and sing “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us…” Upon returning to the entrance of the church we walk under the shroud reminding us that we must pass through death to the Resurrection. While the church is softly illuminated with the faithful’s candles, we hear the Ezekiel’s dry bones prophecy and words of Pascha: “Let God arise…” As the day ends, we are left with a sense of anticipation.

Parent Tips

Children love processions and they like to hold candles—here they can do both. Tell them they are a very important part of the service.
Ask them (especially older children) to listen to the music for “changes” (tone, rhythm, etc.), what they were, when they happened, and what was being sung at the time. Teens and preteens listen to a lot of music with their iPods: get them “into” the music and how the Church uses it to help us.
As you drive home, discuss how we are dependent on light (car lights, street lights, etc.) and how we could not function without it. Use this as a transition to discussing the light of Christ.

Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Saturday, 10 a.m.)
Saturday is called the “Blessed Sabbath.” For the Jews, this was a day of rest, but for us it is when Christ worked and our sorrow is transformed into joy. During Vespers, there are 15 Old Testament readings! After these readings, and during “Arise, O Lord” (which is sung in place of the “Alleluia” verses), the dark (purple) clerical vestments are exchanged for bright (white) ones. The votives and coverings and are also changed at this time—this is an exciting moment for kids. The “light” of Resurrection is really made visible to us as the Liturgy of St. Basil continues in this joyful light.

Parent Tips

On your way to church talk with your child about what they have experienced in the Church during the past few days. Certainly, they will remind you how long the services have been but you may be surprised by other things they may have noticed.
Perhaps you can dress your child in white/light colored clothes and have them wear a dark sweater or jacket as a top layer. During the changing of the vestments, have them remove the top layer.
Tell your children that catechumens were originally baptized and received into the Church during the Old Testament readings. (Later in the day, some of our Holy Trinity catechumens will be received into the Church as well.)

Great and Holy Pascha (Sunday, 12 a.m.)
Finally, we arrive at the Paschal night: the most joyous celebration in the Orthodox Church. After the shroud is carried into the altar and placed on the altar table, the Church is dark. As midnight approaches, the clergy begin to sing, “Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Savior, the angels in heaven sing…” Suddenly, the priest exits the Sanctuary with a lighted candle and by this candle all the people light theirs—one by one. We go in procession around the church until we arrive at the closed doors of entrance to the church. It is now that we hear for the first time “Christ is Risen!” After the doors are opened, everyone enters into a fully lit church where there is no darkness and we celebrate Matins and the Divine Liturgy in the middle of the night.

Parent Tips

Although it may be difficult, try to get your child to rest or take a nap on Saturday. Every kid wants to stay up late…this is their big chance!
Dress your child warmly and perhaps bring a blanket to wrap them in to keep the chill away.
Younger children will probably fall asleep at some point—this is to be expected. They will still probably remember many things about the night.
“Gently” rouse your child for communion several minutes before they will receive the Body and Blood.
Teach your children the Paschal greeting (Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!) in different languages. They will like to respond out loud to these greetings—especially in church.

Although the services are somewhat longer than usual, you can/should bring your children and prepare them to participate. Please be considerate and aware of your children’s whereabouts, actions, movements, etc., at all times during the services so those around you can also fully experience the joy of the Feast.

A Tale of Two Tough Weeks

Posted on April 26, 2013 by HTOC in Features, Orthodox Spirituality

by Fr. Lawrence Farley

“A tough week.”

This is how President Obama described the week of April 14—a week that saw acts of terrorism in Boston and a tragic fire and explosion in Texas compounding the other challenges with which life is often filled. Boston also experienced the emotional roller-coaster of lockdown, manhunt, shoot-out, and arrest. A tough week indeed.

These words, however, could also be used to describe another week, long ago, that also was filled with emotion, fear, and death. I refer, of course, to the last week of our Lord’s earthly life.

The week was filled with danger, since it was well known that Jesus’ foes had recently tried to stone Him, a fate which He narrowly escaped (John 11:8). For this reason, His entry into the city had to be secretly pre-arranged, as did the place in the city where He would eat the Passover meal (Mark 11:1f, 14:12f), for if He left the safety of the public crowds, He risked arrest and execution (Mark 14:1-2).

That Passover meal, eaten with the Twelve in secrecy, was marked by fear. He predicted that one of them would betray Him, that He would have to leave them, that they would all deny Him and leave Him alone. As they ate the bread at the beginning of the meal, and as they drank the cup of wine afterward, He declared the bread and wine to be His body and His blood, broken and poured out. They did not know what it all could mean, but they knew talk of death when they heard it.

Then came the catastrophic night of betrayal and arrest, when one of their own inner circle acted as guide to His enemies, and when they all forsook Him and fled. Peter, initially trying to prove himself brave, tagged along later at a distance, only to find himself denying Christ over and over again, as the Lord had predicted. While the disciples scattered and cowered, their Lord was being tried and mocked and beaten by His own people at an illegal all-night trial. When daybreak came, He was handed over to Pilate.

By three o’clock in the afternoon it was all over.

Jesus hung dead on the cross, beaten, disgraced, abandoned by almost all. His adversaries were triumphant. For them it was the most satisfying Passover in a long time. But not for the disciples of the Lord. For them, it was a tough week.

This review of the first Holy Week can help us through our own tough weeks, for it teaches us that God does not save us from fearful suffering and death, but reveals His salvation in the midst of it. The fear-suffused and dark Passover supper would be later revealed as the eternal and joyful Mystic Supper, as the meal of death became the meal of life. The moment of supreme defeat and disgrace on Golgotha would become the cosmic victory of God, when He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

This shows that all our suffering can be transmuted into joy, if we wait on God. Dark days may tempt us, calling us to despair, to give up on God. Judas gave up: he took a rope and hanged himself. We must not give up.

Despair called to Peter too, for after he denied his Lord time and again, he went out and wept bitterly (Mark 14:72). But, in the end, he did not heed the call to despair. Despite his almost unbearable pain, he persevered, and waited and did not give up.

With God it is always worth the wait. Christ came to Peter and restored him, accepting his repentance and calling him to once again take up his apostolic calling and leadership. He came to all the disciples, forgiving them, gathering them, healing their hearts and breathing His Spirit into them.

Holy Week may have ended with the Cross on Friday and the Tomb on Saturday. But it gave way to the Resurrection on Sunday, the first day of the week and a sign of the timeless eighth day of eternity.

As we go through our lives and endure tough weeks, let us continue to wait on God. When day dawned that first Resurrection morn, all the pain of the past week faded with the passing darkness.

So it will prove for us.

Editor’s Note: Fr. Lawrence Farley is the priest in Langley, B.C., and is the author of many books and Ancient Faith Radio podcasts. This article originally appeared on oca.org.