Thoughts on the Triduum

Nothing comes before the work of God. –St Benedict

This coming weekend we will not merely remember a few events that simply took place at a certain point in history. Rather, we will enter into and take part in events that are still taking place today. After all, God is outside of time. True, not all of these events are obligatory. The Easter Mass is the only thing that is obligatory. But we should still strive to take part in them because of how old the practices are that we do (1700-2000 years, documented), as well as due to their centrality to our faith. Without the institution of the Eucharist, or the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, there would have been no Easter.

Through the Passion of Christ, we see the most perfect act of love. This is God’s eternal act of love for us—the total gift of self. As Jesus said, what better love is there than to give one’s life? The amount we suffer for someone shows the depth of our love for them.

God loves the world so much that he gave his only Son, who, though he was the form of God, he did not deem equality with God. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being obedient even to the point of death. (see John 3:16 and Phil 2:6-11).

Through the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, we find that it is only through “a death freely accepted” that we can obtain eternal life.

By participating in the Triduum Masses/Service, we stand at the foot of the cross with Mary and the beloved disciple, while the rest run away and hide with the Apostles and other disciples. Peter tried to deny Christ but was still recognized all three times. The same will happen to us if we try to hide who we are this weekend—CHRISTIANS.

what is human?

“He was born in a new condition, for, invisible in his own nature, he became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, he chose to come within our grasp. Existing before time began, he began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the universe, he hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, he did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. Immortal, he chose to be subject to the laws of death.”
--From a letter by Saint Leo the Great, pope

Our omnipotent God, who does not need us, became one of us so that we may be renewed for our faults. What more can you say? THAT IS LOVE!! Just look at a Crucifix—that is the best expression of love that we have. For, “no greater love does one have than to give his life for a brother.”

Through the Passion and Resurrection, we find what it means to truly become human. If you wish to become human, you must first empty yourself, for it is then that you can truly love. And the love you will feel is not an ordinary love, it’s not the love you will see the world give. Rather, it is a love (eros) centered on God, so that it may be united with his love (agape). And what greater love can one experience than the love of the omnipotent God?