INVITATION TO CELEBRATE HOLY WEEK -- R.S.V.P.

I will respond. I will recall the happenings of every day of what was to become known as Holy Week centuries after those first seven days.

APRIL, 30 A.D.: For days and weeks streams of people had been making their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the ancient rituals of the Passover. Down the Jordan Valley, across from the Moab hills, up from the desert, eastward from the Mediterranean seashore, across wadies, arid places, rocky hillsides they made their way. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM.

They traveled on donkeys or afoot and the way, for some, must have seemed long. Many carried gifts for the Temple. An unblemished lamb was often carried by families who could not afford to buy one at the end of the journey. It was to be the Paschal Lamb whose blood was to be sacrificed at the Temple altar and the roasted flesh eaten afterwards. They did not know that this was the last such lamb's blood that would need to be offered.

SUNDAY (by our modern calendar): Many, having already arrived in Jerusalem, made their way to the Temple sitting high on Mount Zion. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM, riding on a donkey that stepped quietly on the palms that had been strewn in the pathway in honor of the rider. Crowds, pressing close, were hailing Jesus as "the King who comes in the name of the Lord." They knew of the things he had done. He stopped at the Temple to speak to the crowd. Many still did not understand his message. Temple priests were enraged.

MONDAY: Passover celebrants were still arriving at Jerusalem although many were already settled in with relatives at Jerusalem or nearby Bethany. Those not finding shelter made camps on the surrounding countryside. The woodsmoke of the campfires permeated the air. Gray-green foliage of the olive trees stirred in the slightest breeze. Bleats of lambs mingled with the laughter of playing children. Many, as usual, went to the Temple. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM. He healed some who were sick. The crowd saw and wondered at these miracles. He spoke again of things to come. Most did not understand. Temple priests began a plot to get rid of him whose importance was overshadowing theirs.

TUESDAY: In the evening the Disciples sat on the ground somewhere on Mt. Olive. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM. He told them that when anyone gave food to those that were hungry, water when they were thirsty, shelter when they had none, visited those who were sick or in prison, gave clothing to the naked, it was the same as if he was doing it for him. This the 12 understood.

WEDNESDAY: When many crowded into the Temple again, JESUS WAS AMONG THEM, healing and speaking. The Temple priests came to him to question his authority to speak as he did. They had to admire the way he answered, although they hated him.

THURSDAY: It was the day of the Passover feast celebrating the escape of the Israelites from their age old captivity and slavery in Egypt. The Disciples were gathered in an upper room of some dwelling in Jerusalem to partake of the prescribed food and drink. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM. During the evening, among many other things that echo down through the centuries, he said, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another."

FRIDAY; Having been captured and court tried, three so-called criminals hung, dying, on three crosses on Calvary. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM. He said seven things before he died, one being, "It is finished." Perhaps in his excruciating pain it was comforting to know that his work was done.

SATURDAY: Crowds began leaving Jerusalem, going back up the Jordan Valley, back to the desert, the hills, the seashore. JESUS WAS NOT AMONG THEM. Lying in a tomb, he was, dead.

SUNDAY: Some were strolling in the Garden of Gethsemane where they had heard that Jesus had been captured as a result of the priests' plot. Others walked in the Garden of Golgotha, near the scene of Friday's crucifixion, where the body of Jesus had been placed in Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb. JESUS WAS AMONG THEM!

REJOICE! REJOICE! REJOICE!