Holy Week, Part Two

EASTER SUNDAY

March 27th

The quote from Clarence W. Hall pretty much sums what Easter is to me. My cousin's daughter posted this to her wall (now timeline) on Facebook some years ago. On Thursday, Jesus introduced the sacrament at the last supper, was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and suffered in Gethsemane for our sins. On Friday, Jesus faced a angry mob and was sentenced to death at biased trial, then died on the cross for us all, so that we could be saved, redeemed and resurrected with the hopes of having eternal life. 

March 23rd
Wednesday evening, I read 4th chapter in "Christ-Centered Easter" so that I could catch up. I read about women who testified of Christ, not just in the Savior's day, but in today's world. The author talked of the women in Serbia who taught their children about Easter while under communist rule. They testified of Christ under trying circumstances. We are all called to be witnesses of Christ, even when it is hard. One way to testify of Christ is to give up something for a greater purpose and to forgive others.
March 24th
As I reading 5th chapter in "Christ-Centered Easter", I thought of my niece Lily, probably because lilies were mentioned as a symbol of believing. Lily's mother was told that she may not have children. So Lily's parents fasted and prayed about having a child and struggled with doubts of having a family of more than two adults. After reading this short chapter, I was glad that Lily had the name she was given. Lily's birth is a miracle. Lily is a reminder to believe, to have faith, to hope and to doubt our doubts.
March 27th
Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles who saw Christ after he had been resurrected. Since others had testified of the resurrected Christ, he was doubtful that Jesus had returned. Thomas's faith was rewarded when he was able to see Christ and to touch his hand.
On Sunday morning in "The Holy Week", I read that lilies are symbolic of the resurrection because they are buried in the ground during the winter and bloom in the spring. Again I was glad that my niece was given the name of Lily, because she raised a hope in her parents of being a mother and a father.
I also thought of daffodils this morning and how a hope rises in me when I see those yellow blooms. In Utah, they are usually the first blooms of spring after a long, but sometimes bitter winter. When I see the rays of sunshine in the daffodils I know winter is over and spring as unpredictable as it can be is here. Even on snowy day, the sunshine flowers still thrive.

March 25th

After half way through Research Park, I decided to pull out "Christ-Centered Easter". I read about the two men who walked along  the road to Emanus. As they walked, a stranger joined them. And when the men recognized that Jesus was the stranger, he disappeared from their view. Although we can't witness Christ in the flesh, he walks with us. Especially in our more trying times.
March 26th
I came across the poem "Footprints" when my dad died. It was a comfort for me, because I knew I wasn't alone in my suffering. It meant something last year while I was recuperating from surgery. I reminded that the Good Shepherd is mindful of me and still watching over me. In my hardest times, Jesus is carrying me.

March 27th
Christ appear to others, not just to the women at the tomb or the disciples who were traveling along the road to Emmaus or to a doubting, but faithful Thomas, Jesus appeared to Saul when he was headed to Damascus to persecute more Christians. Jesus Christ also appeared to the Nephites and Lamanites in the new world. These early Americans had just endured three days of extreme darkness after experiencing hard core earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, flood and other earthly disturbances. While ministering to his sheep in the Americas, he healed the disabled, victims of the natural disasters and children. In modern days, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.
March 26th
I finished "Christ-Centered Easter" this morning and read the last chapter just a few minutes ago. After reading it, I realized I was to read this chapter on Easter. I was impressed with the Easter Sermon that she quoted from a dear friend. In this chapter, the author asked us to prepare for Easter and I think that is what Lent and the Holy Week do. And probably why my stake president from years ago gave members of his stake a pamphlet. She also invited the reader to celebrate Easter every day. To be grateful for Christ as done for us.

March 27th

In the 16th chapter of Mark, I learned that Mary Magdalene and another Mary came to the tomb to attend to body of Jesus. Probably to finish what they could not do late Friday afternoon. They were surprised to see the stone rolled away and were probably relieved because they had been concerned about how they would roll it away. When the women saw the empty tomb, their concerns increased. A young man clothed in white told them not to be afraid for Jesus Christ was not here, but had risen. He instructed them to tell the others, particularly the disciples of Christ and Peter. Mary Magdalene and Mary were obedient and testified of the empty tomb after they left.

In the book "The Holy Week for Latter-Day Saint Families", it spoke of the Easter tradition of decorating eggs. Eggs are a symbol of new life, coloring the egg is a symbol of a better life. Sometimes an Easter egg will turn my attention to the Savior during the Sacrament. I reminded of what Jesus Christ did for us in Gethsemane and on the cross. He was resurrected so that we could have a better life; to have eternal life. 

Holy Week, Part One

Years ago, when I lived in another neighborhood, the stake president invited the stake members to learn more about the final week of our Savior. We were given a pamphlet or handout of scriptures to read during the week. It began with Palm Sunday and ended with Easter. There was a scripture and a quote to read each day. On Easter Sunday, we had a short meeting in our individual wards and then the Messiah was performed at the Stake Center. Usually the Messiah is performed at Christmas, but President Scott suggested that Easter might be a better fit for it.
I did keep the pamphlet because I used it a few years later, but in recent years, I have not been able to find it. So when I saw an LDS Living link about how Mormons could celebrate Lent, I took notes. I even manage to buy "Holy Week for LDS Families" by Wendee Wilcox Rosborough from Deseret Books, which was a huge help for me because the link about Lent didn't mention Palm Sunday. I also bought "Christ-Centered Easter" by Emily Belle Freeman, which has given me unexpected insight about some Easter events.

PALM SUNDAY
March 20th,
Today marks the start of Holy Week, the final week of Christ's mortal life. It is Palm Sunday, a day I haven't really taken notice of, probably because it's not really celebrated in Mormon culture. From what I remember, Christ rode in on a donkey and people waved palm leafs as they shouted "Hosanna". Many Christians in the valley celebrate Palm Sunday, but it is rarely mention at LDS meeting.

But today, it was a bit different in Utah. The Provo City Center Temple was dedicated and usual LDS services in Utah were suspended. During a temple dedication, the "Hosanna" shout is done. Although the dedication wasn't apart of a Palm Sunday activity, I felt that in my own way,  I was able to celebrate Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem during the "Hosanna" shout.
After Christ died on the cross in Calvary, he came to the Americas to visit with the Nephites and Lamanites. The people who survived the great earthquake that happen three days earlier shouted "Hosanna".  When the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they shouted "Hosanna".  Hosanna mean "save now, we pay". It is a joyous exclamation. (from "The Holy Week')
March 21st
I realized as I read "Christ-Centered Easter" today, that I was a day late. The author wrote of Lazarus. I had heard of Lazarus before, but I didn't know that this miracle occurred the day before (as quoted in the chapter of John) Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I do remember it was shortly before his final week.

MONDAY
March 21st
The next day, Jesus came to the temple where he cleansed the temple by chasing out the money changers and other trying to make a profit off the temple attendees. As I read in Matthew 21, I was touched that he also healed the sick. I was reminded of the surgery I had a year ago and another procedure I had earlier that year. I felt clean after the one procedure because what had been bothering my body was gone. I also felt the love of Christ during those first three months of 2015. Christ not only suffered for our sins, but also for our infirmities. Jesus loved us that much. (This was probably in "Holy Week for LDS Families".

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
March 22nd.
After I came home from the caucus, I read some of the scriptures that LDS Living link suggested. In Matthew 25, I read about the goats and the sheep. The goats were characterized by those who thought only of themselves and the sheep were those who looked after the welfare of others; those who followed Christ's example.

Reading 40th verse of Matthew 25, I am reminded of how the people of my hometown served my mom as she got older. I also I am reminded of my brother who listen to me when I felt so alone and his willingness to visit me in the hospital after a aborted procedure. I think of my sister who while fighting cancer was always concerned about the welfare of her family members. And then is my adopted niece who was recovering from surgery texting me to get rest and eat chocolate when I complained about a possible cold I wanted to avoid.

HOLY THURSDAY
March 23rd
When I got home I read the Wednesday chapter of "Holy Week for LDS Families". I read about Judas, one of the Twelve Apostles who betrayed Christ in his final week of his mortal ministry. On the cross, Christ forgave Judas and others who betrayed him. I can follow Christ's example and forgive those who I feel have wronged me or don't agree with my views. Forgiveness is a simple act, but one of the hardest act to accomplish.

March 24th
As I read the scriptures I found on LDS Living and Thursday chapter, I remembered the brief discussion I had with my boss, who is a lapsed Catholic. He had problems of why Good Friday was labeled as such when Jesus persecuted, prosecuted and executed that day, but he called the day before as Holy Thursday. I had never heard that term before. Reading the scriptures, I understood better why Catholics would call Thursday holy. Passover is honored, the Last Supper happen and Christ introduced the sacrament. Holy Thursday made sense.

GOOD FRIDAY
March 22nd
On the way home from work, I read the second experience in a "Christ-Centered Easter". Tonight I realize that Jesus suffer also. As he was heading up to the hill where the crucifixion would take place, he felt alone. Until Simon came. I had forgotten about Simon who carried the cross for Jesus for a bit. I vaguely remembered the scene in "The Robe" or some other Easter movie that I saw in seminary where a man takes the cross from Jesus, so he can rest. The chapter talked about how alone Jesus was on that Friday. Pilate had mocked him along with the rest of the crowd. Simon stepped up and bore Christ's burden for a bit. When Jesus came to earth, he suffered pains and illness just like a regular human would.Christ understands what we are going through. Like Simon we can bear each other's burden.
I was reminded of a time when I felt alone. After a sensitive matter had come across my desk years ago, I was told I could not speak of what I witnessed. From that incident, I learned what "being alone" meant. I was surrounded by co-workers and I could say nothing of how I felt about the event that had occurred in the office. Finally one evening, I asked my brother to go walking with me. As we walked up the street, I told him what had happened and how it had affected me. My burden had been lifted.
March 23rd
As I rode the bus home, I read some more in "Christ Centered Easter". It spoke of Joseph, who brought Christ's body to the tomb and Nicodemus, who help prepare Christ's body for burial. Both were to give up (or sacrifice) their roles in Jewish leadership. I never thought of giving up as a sacrifice. I understood Lent a bit better. Two years ago I decided to give up chocolate for Lent. As first it was hard because I not only eat chocolate, I talk chocolate. Maybe it wasn't a typical sacrifice, but I found myself coming closer to Christ. And it helped me in the years to become. In May of last year, I learned I was allergic to potato starch. In November, I learned that I had some other food allergies. Going without chocolate for six taught me I could endure as I had to give up potatoes and other foods.

March 25th

As I read the verses in Matthew 27 and Luke 23 tonight I ponder the speedy trial and the Crucifixion.Jesus forgave those who caused this event to happen and he was willing to what Heavenly Father asked him to do. It could not have been easy to witness those who mocked him. Jesus bore this suffering patiently. Again he set an example for us to follow. Jesus was obedient.

March 26th

Yesterday at lunch, a high school classmate shared this meme on her timeline. My boss had earlier questioned why it was called "Good Friday". This comic strip explained it well. Christ was willing to die for us so that we could have eternal life.

SATURDAY 

March 26th

Before I pulled my body out of bed for the final time, I thought of the Saturday after Good Friday. I don't often realize it was the Sabbath for the Jews, so there probably wasn't a whole lot going. It must have been a quiet day unlike my Saturdays where I am busy running errands and doing things I didn't have time for during the week.

I thought how alone the family and friends of Jesus must have felt. He was crucified the day before and quickly buried because the Sabbath was approaching. There probably had been no time for a funeral, where most of us have our final good-bye before a family member or close friend is laid to rest. I thought of how alone I felt the Sunday morning after my mom's funeral. I was in the back seat traveling back to Salt Lake when I just wanted to reach out to her. I'm thinking that the family and friends of Jesus felt the same.
But for the Pharisees and chief priests, part of the Sabbath day was spent meeting with Pilate. They told him what Jesus had said he would rise on the third. The Pharisees were convinced that the disciples of Christ would come in the middle to the tomb and take Jesus's body away. So Pilate let Pharisees and chief priests place a round stone in front of the tomb.

In the Saturday chapter of "The Holy Week" was suggested that Jesus was teaching to those who passed on without ever having known of him. I imagine Jesus was probably having a reunion of sorts too after Good Friday, just like my loved ones have had with their families. And I think that Jesus was still watching over those that he had just left behind. And the Good Shepherd is still watching over us today

As I was eating breakfast, I read in the Salt Lake Tribune about Elder Mason Wells, a 19 year old missionary from Utah. He was one of the four missionaries injured in the bombing in Brussels this week. I was touched by his testimony that he shared. "I was sitting outside of the airport, sitting in my own blood, and there was a feeling of calm and peace that I had," Wells said. "And it was beyond just physical shock. I attribute that to the presence of God. If there's anything I've learned, it's that if God can hear the prayers that I was giving as I was on that sidewalk lying down, I know that he hears the prayers of everyone." I think how Elder Wells bore witness of Christ in his interview. He was grateful, forgiving and hopeful. A Fox News reporter mentioned that Elder Wells only had four months left on his mission, but he wanted to stay and finish his mission. She was touched by not only his faith, but his willingness to serve our Savior.