Faith Matters: A guide to Holy Week: The story isn’t over yet, even as it seems all hope is lost

The Rev. Dr. Chris Davies is the executive minister of Programs and Initiatives at the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. She lives in western Massachusetts, and witnesses hope in action at UCC churches in many towns across the Valley and beyond.

The Rev. Dr. Chris Davies is the executive minister of Programs and Initiatives at the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. She lives in western Massachusetts, and witnesses hope in action at UCC churches in many towns across the Valley and beyond. CONTRIBUTED

By THE REV. DR. CHRIS DAVIES

Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

Published: 04-18-2025 9:22 AM

For people who identify as Christian, Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) is one of the most important weeks of our faith. Holy Saturday — today — is a day wherein we live in the darkness of Jesus’ death. So as we wait for hope on the horizon, I want to review this week in basic terms for those who are curious about the fundamentals of faith.

Holy Week began with the bridge from Lent this past Sunday, known as Palm Sunday. I grew up with Palm Sunday: palms waving in the aisle of the congregational church where I was baptized, the children running around in chaos and joy. In scripture, the narrative across the four Gospels tells of Jesus gathering his people close, and entering the city, with palms and cloaks laid before him and his creatures. Many Christians point, too, towards the imperial army of Pilate parading into the city on the other side, gathering force and showing off.

On one side, a peaceful protest. On the other, a military parade of force.

After the protest of palms, Jesus travels about, telling stories, uplifting the poor, and reminding people to love one another as God has loved them. He challenges his followers to turn towards faith in God, rather than faith in country. Pilate’s forces gather in opposition; and still common people gather towards Jesus and his messages of hope and love.

This past Wednesday, called Spy Wednesday, some acknowledge the betrayal in action. Some of Jesus’ revolution flipped sides and went to the cops. To be clear, on this day we tell the story of Judas beginning to conspire with the Roman Empire.

On Thursday, called Maundy Thursday, modern Christians settle into the motions of holiness echoed through centuries. There may be feet washing, where those who are the most oppressed are cared for. There will most likely be a retelling of the Last Supper, offering each other the bread of life, and the cup of a new covenant, and reminding each other that there is room at the table for anyone who wishes to join. Whether doubting, denying or even betraying, Jesus offered his sacrament of hope for a new world order. He also offers warning — the government was coming for him. He knew what Judas had done.

Holy Week’s Friday is the day of Christ’s death. He leaves the disciples and goes to pray by himself in the garden. There, he prays — God, please, do I really have to do this!?

And he is identified by Judas, picked up by the state, placed in jail on false charges in a circus of a trial, and tortured. His friends abandon him, his enemies mock him; he is alone. He is nailed to a cross in the preferred public execution method of the time. The seven “last words” of Jesus are his pleas for mercy and death, and offering comfort to his companions; also there hanging. He dies.

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I have memories of the darkness of sanctuary, and the bell tolling to indicate the death of Jesus.

Today, Holy Saturday, Christians sit with the state-sanctioned murder of Jesus. We sit with the horrors of our faith, and how it functions in the world. How do we — humanity — do this, again and again to the prophets among us? How do we make sense of the reality that Holy Week has been one of the most dangerous times for Jewish siblings? Where do we go from here? And how might our faith function differently, today?

Tomorrow, Easter Sunday, as the sun rises, Christians will yet again approach the metaphorical tomb to witness what is to follow. We will gather in sanctuaries and parks, in our homes and with our families, making meaning yet again of how we might hold onto hope while the world crumbles.

The story isn’t over yet, even as it seems all hope is lost.

Rev. Dr. Chris Davies is the executive minister of Programs and Initiatives at the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. She lives in western Massachusetts, and witnesses hope in action at UCC churches in many towns across the region and beyond. You can learn more at www.findhopenow.org, or connect with Rev. Dr. Chris at jesuslovesdinos.bsky.social or on Facebook.