The Joys of Holy Week

There is no other week of the year like this special week.  From the joyous acclamations of Palmarum and the waving of palms, through the love our Lord shows in washing his disciples feet and in giving us the Holy Eucharist and then the stripping of the altar, from the immolation of the Lamb on the cross, through His sanctifying of our graves by sharing a grave himself, all the way through to the joys of the Easter Vigil and Easter Eucharist where the Lamb reveals Himself victorious over death and the grave for us - well, nothing compares to it.

No little part of the joys of this week are the hymns.  Think of them, old and new, and all brimming with divine love:

All glory, laud, and honor
No tramp of solider's marching feet
Ride on, ride on
When you woke that Thursday morning
O Lord, We Praise Thee
When I behold Jesus Christ
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth
The Royal Banners
O Sacred Head
All You Works of God
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Awake, My Heart, with Gladness
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Christ has Arisen, Alleluia!
Now All the Vault of Heaven

They bring us right into the events that Scripture unfolds before us, and the liturgy allows us to be witnesses to these saving acts and to enter into them and receive them as our own by faith.  O Christian, do not deprive yourself of the great joys of these days!  It is a fabulous feast that is set before you!  Come, and behold the marvel of all marvels, and join in singing that Love that no death could destroy!