As Christians remember and reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Methodist University is hosting several events to commemorate Holy Week.
As Christians remember and reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Methodist University is hosting several events to commemorate Holy Week.
A series of services are focused on six different aspects for each day of the week, excluding Saturday: obedience, suffering, the missing day, forgiveness, death, and life.
“If there’s one thing to take away from this week it’s to love Jesus,” said Rev. Kelli W. Taylor, vice president of Religious Life & Community Engagement. “As many problems as we may have, we just need to love God because he’s the best of us.”
On Monday, the Department of Religious Life hosted “Trace the Labyrinth” in Matthews Chapel, allowing students, staff, and faculty to focus on meditation by trying out a finger labyrinth. The following day outside of Hensdale Chapel, “Nails of Repentance” asked everyone to ponder the idea of sin and how it led to Christ’s crucifixion on the cross.
During CIRCUIT on Wednesday, dozens of students, staff, and faculty gathered outside of Matthews Chapel for the “Service of Palms.” Not only did everyone get an opportunity to interact with Elwood the Donkey and a student portraying Jesus, but they also received palm branches they could wave around as hymns were played by the MU band.
Taylor’s message was focused on the personal, societal, and political implications of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem.
“It’s hard for us to imagine what Jerusalem felt like. But we’re asked to think about today. Are we the disciples that scattered right when Jesus wanted them most? Are we the religious leaders who saw him as a threat? We need to ask ourselves, ‘Who are we in 2022?’” stated Taylor.
It gave students like junior Tanner Hendricks a chance to consider Holy Week in a different light.
Hendricks added, “I learned a lot. You always think about the crucifixion and resurrection parts of Holy Week. But it’s important to also think about what happened on those other days like Palm Sunday.”
Upcoming Events for Holy Week
Today will commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus. As the Bible indicates, Christ washed the feet of his disciples around this time. As a gesture of loving and serving one another, people will be able to participate in foot-washing stations outside of Hensdale Chapel from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Good Friday is a solemn day on which Christians recall the death of Jesus and its promise of hope and new life. During the “Stations of the Cross” devotion at Matthews Chapel from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the campus will be able to recall Jesus’ journey on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem to Calvary where he was crucified.
Lastly, anyone is welcome to join the Easter Sunday sunrise service at Matthews Chapel at 7 a.m. The service will remember and celebrate the resurrection of Christ. A light breakfast will be provided.
A Catholic Mass is also offered on campus for Easter Sunday at Matthews Chapel at 6 p.m.
For more information about Holy Week, contact the Department of Religious Life.