Check out last week's posts for a bit on Holy Week here in Mexico. Today I want to talk about Easter and the vital role it plays in the Lutheran church in Mexico.
Below is a conversation that Mike recently had with seminary student Jorge Briones. Jorge (pictured above on left) grew up in the Catholic church and didn't become a Lutheran until he was about 20 years old. He's now in his second year of studying at the seminary.
Mike: How did your family celebrate Holy Week when you were growing up?
Jorge: We would go to mass on Thursday. On Friday, we went to 3 o'clock mass. We'd also go to a nearby town that held a large 'Way of the Cross' and crucifixion reenactment. My grandmother was very strict and wouldn't let us watch TV or listen to music on Thursday or Friday.
On Holy Saturday my extended family would go out and spend the day together. In the evening, my friends would often invite me to a Vigil mass that went from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., but I didn’t like it very much. It was always very sad. Everyone was mourning and they would turn all the lights off in church. You could only see by candlelight.
Mike: What about Easter Sunday?
Jorge: We didn’t do anything.
Mike: Nothing?
Jorge: Well, there were regular mass services but we never went. Almost no one went.
Mike: Do you think most Mexicans know that Jesus rose from the dead?
Jorge: Well, some do, but most probably don't. Or at the very least most doubt that he really rose. After all, every time you go into a church Jesus is hanging on the cross. The only time they take him off the cross is on Holy Saturday (to symbolize being in the tomb), but then they put him back up right away the next day. The focus is all on how Jesus died. Easter Sunday is pretty much forgotten.
Mike: What would you say is the difference between how you looked at Holy Week growing up and how you look at it now that you’re a Lutheran?
Jorge: I used to think Holy Week was really sad. Jesus died. Now I think Holy Week is a week filled with hope. Jesus rose! I know that because Jesus rose, I too will rise.
Rachel's note: This, my dear friends, is why we are in Mexico, working to spread this message around. May more come to believe in the resurrected and living Christ this year!
Below is a conversation that Mike recently had with seminary student Jorge Briones. Jorge (pictured above on left) grew up in the Catholic church and didn't become a Lutheran until he was about 20 years old. He's now in his second year of studying at the seminary.
Mike: How did your family celebrate Holy Week when you were growing up?
Jorge: We would go to mass on Thursday. On Friday, we went to 3 o'clock mass. We'd also go to a nearby town that held a large 'Way of the Cross' and crucifixion reenactment. My grandmother was very strict and wouldn't let us watch TV or listen to music on Thursday or Friday.
On Holy Saturday my extended family would go out and spend the day together. In the evening, my friends would often invite me to a Vigil mass that went from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., but I didn’t like it very much. It was always very sad. Everyone was mourning and they would turn all the lights off in church. You could only see by candlelight.
Mike: What about Easter Sunday?
Jorge: We didn’t do anything.
Mike: Nothing?
Jorge: Well, there were regular mass services but we never went. Almost no one went.
Mike: Do you think most Mexicans know that Jesus rose from the dead?
Jorge: Well, some do, but most probably don't. Or at the very least most doubt that he really rose. After all, every time you go into a church Jesus is hanging on the cross. The only time they take him off the cross is on Holy Saturday (to symbolize being in the tomb), but then they put him back up right away the next day. The focus is all on how Jesus died. Easter Sunday is pretty much forgotten.
Mike: What would you say is the difference between how you looked at Holy Week growing up and how you look at it now that you’re a Lutheran?
Jorge: I used to think Holy Week was really sad. Jesus died. Now I think Holy Week is a week filled with hope. Jesus rose! I know that because Jesus rose, I too will rise.
Rachel's note: This, my dear friends, is why we are in Mexico, working to spread this message around. May more come to believe in the resurrected and living Christ this year!
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