Published: March 14, 2008 01:38 pm            

Easter blessings | Services will note death, resurrection of Jesus

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Christians will begin their observances of Holy Week today.

It’s a time that marks the final days Jesus Christ spent on earth.

Christians hold specific services throughout the week to recall the sacrifice Jesus made for the world.

The services embody several significant events beginning with Palm Sunday, which manifests Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem before Passover.

The Rev. Robert Ruston, pastor of St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church in Daisytown and St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Bon Air, said Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem signifies the people’s desire to make him king.

“When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he was greeted by many people waving palm branches in their excitement and declaring him as the king of glory who would overthrow the government,” Ruston said.

When it became evident that Jesus’ kingship would go the way of the cross, the same people who cheered him were the ones who called for his death.

“Even now, we see Catholics who normally don’t come to church, return on Palm Sunday to get palms,” Ruston said. “It is a time when we commit ourselves to walk the way of the cross.”

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of Communion.

A special re-enactment of the event will be observed with a 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday service at Calvary United Methodist Church, 159 Chandler Ave. in the Morrell-ville section of Johnstown.

The Rev. Kyle C. Cannon, pastor, said the portrayal has been presented during the past several years and has proven to be a powerful medium.

The script was written by Clinton Dull of the West End, and men of the church take on the roles of the apostles and Jesus.

The men are seated at a long table in front of the congregation similar to the image portrayed in Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, “Last Supper.”

“It has become one of the most meaningful Communion services we have ever had,” Cannon said.

After the re-enactment, the apostles then act as ushers to bring congregants forward 12 at a time to accept Communion in the same fashion.

“I had one boy last year, about 9 years old, tell me after the service that he sat beside Jesus and was most excited about it,” Cannon said. “We welcome everyone to the service. This is a powerful way to reach even people who are unchurched.”

Pita bread, which represents the unleavened bread, is used at the Passover meal. It is broken and distributed to each apostle.

“It’s the first time Jesus calls his disciples friends and not servants,” Cannon said.

Ruston said Holy Thursday is one of the most significant days in the Catholic doctrine.

“It’s one of the most powerful,” Ruston said. “It was at the Last Supper that Christ instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist when he said, ‘Here is my body and here is my blood.’ ”

Ruston said the significance of the foot-washing ritual during Holy Thursday signifies a call to service.

“It symbolizes a pledging to do a life of service as a people of God,” Ruston said. “We are to do what the Lord did and place ourselves in humble service.”

Good Friday marks the capture, trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus.

The Rev. Robert Wagner, pastor of Moxham Lutheran Church, 500 Park Ave., Johnstown, said without Christ’s death and resurrection, mankind could not have been saved from sin.

“This is when the human side meets the divine side and resolution of that conflict is made possible,” Wagner said. “With the literal death of Jesus, comes the literal death of sin as Jesus died for us on the cross. We have no resurrection without the death of Christ.”

Roman Catholics and other faithful attend Easter Vigil services on the Saturday after Good Friday.

The idea behind the service is for Christians to wait and watch, hopeful and confident that Christ will return.

Monsignor Samuel J. Tomaselli, pastor of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 433 W. Church St., Somerset, said the Saturday Mass welcomes catechumens, who have been taking months of instructions, into the church.

The service traditionally begins outside the church, where the minister and some worshippers gather around a fire.

“We begin in the dark by blessing fire,” Tomaselli said.

“This reminds everyone in attendance that Jesus is the light of the world.”

An Easter, or Paschal, candle is lit during the service.

The readings at the service tell of the salvation of humanity, how humanity fell from grace and was repeatedly rescued by God.

“The vigil readings remind people of the blessings they have received from a loving God,” Tomaselli said.

The passages remind people of God’s promise to be with them always.

“We also bless the baptismal water and announce the meaning of our baptism into these waters,” Tomaselli said. “Baptism is our way to the resurrection.”

        

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