Today we observe the 5th Sunday of Lent that begins the second part of the Lenten season (Passiontide) dedicated to the Passion of the Lord. Passiontide – is a name for the two last weeks of Lent. It is associated with the practice of covering crosses, statues and images throughout the church. That practice hails from the former liturgical calendar in which the Passion of the Lord was read on the Fifth Sunday of Lent as well as on Palm Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week, and Good Friday. The crosses are to be covered until the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday. The statues and pictures are to remain veiled until the Paschal Vigil begins. This practice of veiling refers to the 8th Chapter of St. John’s Gospel where we can read that Jesus hid himself: So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple (John 8:59). In the present, this custom may be observed too.
The elect are to have their third scrutiny. By hearing the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the elect along with the assembled congregation reflect on what being resurrected from the dead means. Let us pray for the elect so that they may be given the faith to acknowledge Christ as the Resurrection and the Life.
I encourage everybody to attend the Paschal Triduum that begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday. The summit of these liturgical celebrations is the Paschal Vigil – the most important Mass of the year.
God bless,
Father Peter