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Where did Lent go? Like a piece of melting ice, one minute Lent was here, and now it has almost disappeared.

We are entering Holy Week. No week for the Christian compares to the seven days that beckon us. The beginning is a boisterous entry into the city of Jerusalem: The waving of fresh palm branches, the shouts of Hosanna, the ride on the donkey triumphalize Palm Sunday.

Put a piece of palm in your wallet to remember: This is the week of triumph and tragedy.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week belong to Judas - Judas' bartering, Judas' coins, Judas' business deals that culminate in "the great handing over" of Jesus.

Lent ends with sundown on Thursday. Thursday of Holy Week has two names: "Holy Thursday" and "Maundy Thursday."

Holy Thursday is the forgotten day of Holy Week. We commemorate so much, but celebrate so little. Thursday is the last full day Jesus spends on earth.

Holy Thursday is the day of priesthood. Jesus consumes His last Passover supper, at which He relies on a basin and towel to wash the feet of the first priests. Priesthood is a gift.

Towering over all, Thursday of Holy Week is the gift of Eucharist: "This is my body," Jesus tells us. "This is my blood."

Some Christians refer to Holy Thursday as "Maundy Thursday," echoing the Latin "mandatum" - the commandment of Jesus to "love one another as I have loved you."

Holy Thursday breathes around a table and culminates in a garden of agony with a betrayer's kiss. Does history know of any other kiss so treacherous?

At home, we might display a towel for each member of the family and share some fresh-baked bread on this day.

Holy Thursday is certainly a day to gather to celebrate the Lord's Supper at our local church. It is a good occasion to fast from exchanging a sign of peace as we recall how Jesus was handed over with a token of peace.

Friday of Holy Week is a day without equal. We fast from food and fun. We fast from ceremony. We have nothing sacramental - no water, no oil, no candle, no food. This is the day of wood.

Today, the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies. This is the day to live under the shadow of the cross.

Make the cross present at home, in your car (if you have to use your car on Good Friday). Wear a cross in your lapel. Carry one in your purse or wallet. Don't overlook the cross on this day.

Tonight, we venerate the cross at Mass with a kiss, a genuflection, a touch.

Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday share a unity, a name: the sacred Triduum. These 72 hours are the Passover of the Lord.

Perhaps we have a jump-start during these last days of Lent, to become ready to celebrate the great mysteries with full hearts.

The Triduum is the year's heart. Where will your heart be during Holy Week?

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Lake parish in Cooperstown.)[[In-content Ad]]

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