Holy Week: Holy Sunday & Monday Evenings

I. The Persons Who Appear in Relation to Christ (background information)

The Religious Leaders of Israel

Pharisees: (Separated ones) emerged during the reign of John Hycanus (134-104 BC). They were champions of the Torah. They had a detailed knowledge of the Mosaic Law and the oral interpretation of the Torah. The believed in the personal immortality, judgment after death, the resurrection and the existence of Angles. They are marked by "Legalism" as seen in Mt. 23. They turned the observance of the Law into a burden. They were also self-righteous as illustrated in the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisees saved Judaism from extinction after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70AD). They were able to rebuild on the basis of the Torah alone.

Sadducees: (Wealthy priest aristocracy) Their authority derived through blood. They were religiously conservative, concerned with Temple Administration and ritual. The Sadducees; also called the "Zadokites," were the descendants of Zadok, Solomon's Priest (1 Kings 2:35). They were in conflict with the Pharisees because the two parties differed socially, theologically, and in practice. They took their stand on the Torah alone and rejected the Oral Tradition. They denied the resurrection of the dead, personal immortality, and the existence of angels and devils (Act 23:8). After the destruction of the Temple (70 AD), they disappeared from history.

Scribes: First appeared in the reign of Solomon as educated civil servants. They were the authors of the wisdom literature of Israel (i.e. Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastics, The Song of Songs, The Book of Job, Wisdom of Solomon). In post-exilic times they were the ones versed in the Law, like Ezra (Ezekiel 7:6,11 and Nehemiah 8:1). In the first century AD they were the lawyers, moralists and theologians. They were the guides and teachers of the Jewish community. They were given the titles "Rabbi (my Master), Lawyer, Teacher, or Doctor of the Law. The Scribes are responsible for the Talmud (the compilation of oral rabbinical teachings and tradition).

Sanhedrin: A senate of priests and laymen with seventy members not counting the High Priest who acted as president of the assembly. The Sanhedrin was divided into three groups. Two of these parties existed together in the Sanhedrin.

  • One was the Sadducees, made up of the Elders, or lay aristocracy, and the heads of Priestly families.

  • The other was the Pharisaic Scribes (See Acts 23:1-10), Paul face the split council). They had power to handle all cases of infringement upon the Torah both civil and well as religious. They had a police force to arrest and punish convicts. They could pass a death sentence, but it had to be ratified by the Roman procurator.

  • The third group of the Sanhedrin was the Herodians (Mark 3:6, 12:13, and Mt. 22:16). They were the friends and supporters of the Herod family. They were allies with the Pharisees.


HOLY SUNDAY EVENING

"A True Tragedy, that the people designated by God to give the signs of the Messiah and to be the religious leaders. This is the Passion, the crucifixion before the crucifixion. He is in conflict with the very people who should know who He is! (Metropolitan Demetrios Trakatellis).

I. The Passion of Conflict: Christ and the Scribes; Christ and the Disciples

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:18-43

"The Cursing of the Fig Tree: Jesus illustrates his power and authority over all things. He shows his disciples that he freely submits himself to the "authorities," for he has the power to destroy them as well (St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew 21).

The Parable of the Vineyard and the Tenants:
The Passion did not begin on the cross but from the incarnation to the present conflicts. Through the week the conflicts intensifies as it saddens out hearts.

The Passion is "Light, the Sun Rising on the Horizon" This day illuminates the beginnings of the passions of the Lord" (Holy Week Book p. 18). Simultaneous expressions of deep Joy. We go through it with the perspective of knowing the outcome! The Joy of the Resurrection. Praise and Joy must be our "mind-set."

Why the "Services of the Bridegroom?" They express the fullness and completeness of Christ and our soul and Christ and the Church: Marriage with God--through the Cross it is made possible for us to be wedded to Christ.

"Behold The Bridegroom Comes" This hymn is based upon the parable of the Ten Virgins "Behold the Bridegroom comes in the midst of the night, and blessed is the servant whom he shall find watching; and again unworthy is he whom he shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou be borne down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death, and lest thou be shut out of the Kingdom. Wherefore rouse thyself and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou our God through the protection of the Heavenly Host save us."

Synaxarion (A Gathering of Saints)

  • Joseph the Son of Jacob (Genesis Chpt. 37-47), An innocent man suffering prefigures Christ
  • The Fig Tree
  • The Three Holy Youths--Christ was with them (Daniel 3:19-25).

Based on Matthew (22:1-13)

"I see your Bridal chamber adorned, O my Savior, and I have no wedding garment that I may enter therein; O giver of Light, make radiant the vesture of my soul and save me."

By faith and prayer the disciples are told they will be able to do greater things (Christ as Teacher).

"The synagogue of the Hebrews is thought by Christ a Fig Tree destitute of spiritual fruit, and He withers it with a curse. Let us flee from a similar fate" (Holy Sunday Eve. Hymn p. 25).


II. The Question of Authority

The Chief priest and Teachers of the law and the Elders (presbyters) of the people came to him and said, "By what authority do you do these things. And who gave you this authority?" Christ's question to them was, "Where did John's right to baptize come from: Heaven (God ) or from man?"

  • The Jewish authorities lacked faith: Jesus asked them so that they might have faith but, their indecision to answer revealed their disbelief in Jesus. If they answered, "from Heaven" then why do they question the authority of Christ? Look what John the Baptist said about Jesus: "I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal...Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world...This is the Son of God... He that comes from above is above all" (John 1:27, 29, 34, and 4:31).

  • The Jewish authorities sought to please men above God (The source of blindness). "But if we say ‘from men’," we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet."

  • The Two Sons: "A man had two sons and he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today." And he answered, "I will not," but afterwards he repented and went. And he went to the second... "I go, sir," but did not go. Which did the will of the Father? The first. St. John Crysostom writes:

    "For these two children declare what came to pass with respect to both the Gentiles and the Jews...the Gentiles were not hearers of the law but showed obedience in works...And the Jews who said., "All that the Lord shall speak, we will do, and will obey (Ex. 19:8)," in their works were disobedient. (Homily on the Gospel of St. Matthew).

    Then Jesus says it straight forward

    "The tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." He added this because of their actions, thus, convicting them of their deplorable conduct. Jesus showed that for the "fear of men and vainglory" they do all things. For they did not confess Christ for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; and again of John they dare not speak evil, not because of respect for him, but out of fear of the people" (Chrysostom).


HOLY MONDAY EVENING

I. The Balance of the Passion

The Gospel: In the Gospel readings we find the evolution of the plot against Christ. The Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees aim their efforts at trapping Jesus to condemn him.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39

The attacks:

  • The Pharisees (Mt. 22:15-22) sent their disciples with the Herodians (allies). The earthly understanding of power: reverence.
  • The Sadducees (Mt. 22:23-33 ) A material understanding of Resurrection and Life "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures not the power of God."
  • The Lawyer (Mt. 22:34-40)
  • The Pharisees (Mt. 22:41-45)
  • Woe to you...(Mt. 23:1-36)
  • "Blessed is He...(23:37-26:2)


II. They All Showed Him as the One with Authority

Vespers Gospel Reading (Mt. 24:36-26:2)

  • 24:36-44 Watch
  • 24:45-51 The Faithful Steward
  • 25:1-13 The Ten Bridesmaids
  • 25 14-30 The Parable of the Talents
  • 25:31-46 The Parable of the Last Judgment
  • 26:1-2 Prophecy of the Crucifixion

This points us to be ready. In the Hymnology, the wise Virgins are the examples of watchfulness. The Ten virgins in contrast with the passion (i.e. Alertness is required to see and discern the passion)

Forgetfulness: What is Holy Week really?