April 7*: Passover

*Before anything else, here’s the deal about the dates. In 2012, Passover began at sundown on April 6. Since Passover is based on the Hebrew lunar calendar, it’s date is different each year (and since Easter, Lent, Pentecost, and others are based off of it, they are all different each year).
*Also, in the Hebrew calendar, the day is over and the next day begins at sunset, which is why Passover always begins at sunset.
*One more also, Passover / The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for either 7 or 8 days, depending on who you are. Alright . . . moving on.

Passover was one of the most important celebrations for the ancient Israelites (if not the most). Consequently, it still is one of the most important weeks of the year for modern Jews and some Christians. Passover commemorates the day that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. What Christians now celebrate as Communion or the Lord’s Supper was begun when Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover in the upper room.

The book of Exodus provides many instructions for celebrating Passover, but the whole celebration centers around a share meal and a shared story. Many books are available with information on how to hold your own Seder meal and the traditions that are enjoyed at it (go here for info on the traditional foods of a Seder). The point is to remember and remind each other that our God is a saving God, full of power.

“Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast.”

“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”

Exodus 13:3, 8-9

April 6*: Good Friday

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

 

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

 

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

 

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

 

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

 

Matthew 27:45-54 (NIV)

April 3: St. Mary of Egypt

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. . .   Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Colossians 3:5&12

St. Mary of Egypt lived in the fourth century. According to her biographers, she became a prostitute at a young age, a job which she greatly enjoyed. Around age 30, she went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the sole purpose of finding more clients there and along the journey.

In Jerusalem she was suddenly confronted by the realization of her sinfulness, when a force stopped her from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. She prayed for forgiveness and crossed the Jordan, becoming a hermit. After many years of solitude, she met a monk named St. Zosimus of Palestine. After sharing stories, he left, and returned the next year to share Communion with her. She died the next day, and Zosimus told her story to the other monks at the monastery.

Many traditions celebrate her life on different days. April 3 is her feast day in the Catholic church.

April 1: Palm Sunday

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

   “Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 21:9b

Today, one week before Easter, Christians around the world commemorate the “triumphal entry,” when Jesus rode enter Jerusalem on a young donkey and the crowds praised him. We call it Palm Sunday after the palm branches they waved and placed at the donkey’s feet. Christians in many traditions will wave a small olive branch during services today, and shout “Hosanna” just like those men and women of 2000 years ago, more or less.

 Psalms 120-133 are known as psalms of ascent, because they were sung by generations of Israelites on their way to Jerusalem for one of the feasts. Jerusalem is on high ground, surrounded by mountains, so every one who traveled there literally ascended or went “up” to Jerusalem. Since Jesus was going up to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast on that first “Palm Sunday,” I’m also going to include a bit of one of the psalms of ascent.

 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 125:1-2

March 17: Saint Patrick’s Day

I thought about discussing a lesser known holiday today, like National Quilting Day or Submarine Day, but, since I actually did inherit a good bit of Irish blood, I simply can’t pass up Saint Patrick’s Day.

I suspect we all know the basic facts of St. Patrick’s life: kidnapped from his home as a young man/boy and taken to Ireland as a slave, escaped over 6 years later, began to take his faith seriously, spent over 15 years in religious training, and returned to Ireland to spread the gospel.

Now, hold on a second. Yes, I said 15 years. Ouch. Even our doctors and lawyers get their training faster today.

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Ezra 7:10

February 27: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrow

“Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come “

Ecclesiastes 12:1a

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrow was born as Francesco Possenti in 1838. It seems he was rather popular as a child and young man, taking great pains to always look his best. He was known as “the dancer” and had several “romantic entanglements.”

At age 13 he became very sick and vowed to become a priest if he became better. He got better, but didn’t change his life. Two years later the same thing happened. A little while later his sister (who had raised him after their mother died when he was just four years old) died during a cholera epidemic.

After this, Gabriel/Francesco began to think more seriously, and determined to begin his priestly studies as soon as possible. His father and many other relatives attempted to change his mind, but at age 18 he entered the novitiate of the Passionists.

For the next few years he lived as a clerical student, working, writing, and studying to become a priest. During this time, Gabriel developed tuberculosis, and died quietly, even joyfully, a few days before his 24th birthday.

His devotion proved inspirational, especially considering his youth and the other opportunities he had. As a result, Gabriel was canonized in 1920 as the patron saint of the youth, students, and particularly those studying to become a priest.

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

Psalm 119: 9 & 10

February 25: Aethelbert of Kent

Aethelbert was king in Kent, a region of today’s England, from around 580 to his death in 616. He is best known as the first English king to become a Christian. He was converted through the efforts of his wife, Bertha, who was raised as a Christian, and Augustine of Canterbury, a Benedictine monk (not to be confused with Augustine of Hippo who wrote the Confessions of St. Augustine). Although many (most?) of his people remained pagan during his lifetime, his conversion opened the door for others to spread the gospel.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

Colossians 4:2-4

February 23: Polycarp of Smyrna

Polycarp of Smyrna was a second century Christian, known as the bishop of Smyrna. It is said that he studied under the apostle John.

An ancient (2nd or 3rd century) writing called The Martyrdom of Polycarp records his death. As an old man, Polycarp was ordered to deny Christ. Some say that the proconsul knew Polycarp to be an old and honorable man, known for good works, and that he didn’t want to execute him. Apparently the proconsul told him he would be freed if he would simply renounce his belief in Jesus. Polycarp’s response has become legendary:

“For eighty and six years have I been his servant, and he has done me no wrong, and how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

As we go through this second day of Lent, let’s remember those Christians who, like Polycarp, have given up their very lives for the sake of the gospel.

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Luke 9:23 & 24

February 22*: Ash Wednesday

“For dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Genesis 3:19b

The season of Lent has begun today with Ash Wednesday – a day to repent and reflect, mourn and rejoice, fast and pray. Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent praying and fasting in the desert before beginning his preaching. Similarly, today we can use this period of Lent to remove ourselves from the world, focus our thoughts on God, practice discipline in all aspects of our lives, and prepare ourselves to reenter the world with new zeal on Easter, ready to spread the good news everywhere.

“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1:15b

*The date of Ash Wednesday changes every year, depending on what day Easter falls.

February 21: Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday, Carnival, or Shrove Tuesday (yes, those are all the same!)) is always held the day before Ash Wednesday. The exact date changes, depending on when Easter is, but in 2012, it’s on February 21.

Many cities have huge traditions surrounding Mardi Gras (and I don’t just mean New Orleans), but they all rose from a very simple religious festival. The next day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which focuses on self-denial, prayer, and fasting as we approach Good Friday, the day of the Crucifixion, and Easter, the day of Resurrection.

As a result, traditional holds that everyone should use up all of their eggs, butter, and milk in huge king cakes, pancakes, paczkis, crullers, semla, and many other traditional recipes. These sweet dishes are then eaten at huge parties, parades, masquerades, or balls. The original purpose was for all these ingredients to be cleaned from  the house to prevent temptation during the serious season of Lent.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Philippians 4:4 & 5

I suspected most of us are familiar with the king cake (after growing up in the South, I certainly am), but now I’ve learned about the traditional Polish dish, common in several northern states: paczki (pronounced punch-key). These “donuts” are rather overwhelming – filled with sugar, butter, and eggs, before they are fried and dusted in sugar – but, as everyone says, it’s only once a year. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can find a recipe here.