Angry or Beautiful: Holy Week
”Angry is ugly” is a Polish truism (złość
urodzie szkodzi). I’ve seen how anger makes people monsters,
rabid dogs, venomous snakes, even in church. They are bitter, their wounds
fester, their faces frown, not enduring a smile. Critical and opinionated,
their mouths talk to behind someone’s back, never sing. They’re only happy when
ripping someone else up.
That’s what Holy Week is
about: Angry people ripping God apart, secretly, whispering in dark alleys and breaking
their own laws to accomplish it. Remember Holy Wednesday being called “Spy
Wednesday”? Angry, powerful leaders spied
on Jesus. He knew it and said, “Why do you come after me like I’m a crook, a
criminal? I’ve always taught openly…why are you arresting me at night?” They
followed up with a midnight Kangaroo court; an illegal trial; handcuffed and
dragged Him from one trial to the next, trying to terminate God.
This reality show crazily
and incomprehensibly presents a pagan governor, trying to release Jesus. He
finds no criminal offense (like some ordained with politicians wanted to oust
the Bishop without criminal offense). A pagan wants to save God. Pleasing the mob
forces him to execute God.
The opposite, however, of
angry is beauty. Something today’s churches and leadership need to comprehend and
practice. Why? Beauty, more than words, heals wounds. Beauty shines through a
persons’ eyes: windows to the soul.
Getting it all out,
expressing “my” anger, anger management, rarely heals. The wounds may even get
worse. Beauty is a salve, an essential restorative oil. A singing procession, writing blessed eggs, carrying hallowed flowers and pussy
willows, all heal. Psychologists have proven it.
Our Polish community
needs Churches not just with a great priest, an inspiring preacher or excellent
music program. That’s not the full story. That’s the Evangelical Protestant
half. Especially on Holy Thursday, Holy
Saturday and early Easter morning; full-sense PolAm Churches, offer unique (and
unknown by many Catholics) healing encounters with the Lord. Among them are foot
washing; a Seven- city-Church pilgrimage; a Vigil at the Jesus’ Tomb; a place for
gathering fruits of your Lenten fast for the traumatized; an Easter Morning,
Sunrise Procession outside with bells on, flowers, fragrance, and song.
The city’s Polish
parishes are needed! And not just one or
two, so we don’t become sterile, white-washed, classrooms. Faith needs an emotional
liturgical outlet. Otherwise it’s just a
mind-game of backroom illuminati loathing primitive ethnics, because they themselves
grew up and out of all this. Ask rational intellectuals over a cocktail if
their grandsons go to Mass every Sunday. The proof is in the pudding.
Each time St Casimir’s
bell tower sounds, it’s time to encounter Jesus. Be assured, this encounter
embraces all five senses as God’s Word still challenges traditions. Bring your
youngest to the Holy Thursday foot washing, the procession-walk with Jesus from
judge to judge —resounding with unique clapper’s clamor and potted flowers.
When you bless
baskets, bring them to God’s Grave, to experience what God did just for them.
Light a vigil candle with them; kneel with them at an inspiring Garden Tomb; spanning
an entire church transept. Bring them in the afternoon, when the church is
quiet. Pray with them for someone who died in your family. Pray with them, not
just for them.
Don’t deprive youth of
the untold joy of “A Happy Dawning Day” (Easter Sunday resurrection song). Bring
the gals to throw flowers and petals and guys to ring bells and carry banners. Smell floral incense, sing a Happy Alleluia! (Polish
for Happy Easter), crack colored eggs, win prizes, get a chocolate Lamb (vernal
rodents -aka bunnies- forbidden)! Jesus is King and Brother here to all who
search for Resurrection beauty, finding joy.
Check out Holy Week family heritage videos:
There is even more! Celebrate
Dyngus with a leaping oberek, and
shot of wiśniówka, (for those in the
know--more seasonal than krupnik). In the morning tap your kids toes with a pussy
willow. Christ is risen! Look around and smile, it’s down-right beautiful!
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