The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

We have made it. This week is the penultimate week of the year. We are walking the Via Dolorosa with Christ. We live each of those days with Him. It is the busiest, hardest, most challenging week of our year. Meals this week are lighter and simpler, and follow the strictest fasting rules. Traditionally, a full, strict, fast begins on the evening of Maundy (Mandatum - from the new mandate/commandment Jesus gives, as He established the priesthood, the sacraments of the Eucharist and confession), and goes through the end of the Vigil on Saturday, as we await Jesus by the tomb. The events of this week are what give shape to every other week of our year. We have the priesthood, the Eucharist, confession, because of this week. We fast on Wednesdays and Fridays because of Judas' selling Jesus on Wednesday and Christ's crucifixion on Friday. We celebrate a little Paschal feast every Sunday. This week is the most important week in the year. It is such a significant week that it is eight days long. The Sunday of the Resurrection is the eighth day of creation.

The final three days of Holy Week are counted as a single unit, the Triduum, or three days, which are a continuous liturgy. It begins with the liturgy on Maundy Thursday, then with the Good Friday liturgies, venerating the cross and the mourning at the tomb, finishing with the Vigil on Saturday evening, which flows into the Paschal liturgy at midnight.

This week is our first week of spring break, but it is our work week. I am making ready the sheera and leaving it in the fridge, and assembling the baq'lawa to put it in the freezer to bake on the day of the feast, and making the red dye for the eggs. Bright Week is our actual week of "rest" for spring break, by which I mean, our kids sleep in and rest, and I will be making loads of the foods we could not have during the fast. Unfortunately, our Bright Week will have an early morning set of classes for the girls.

Palm Sunday is a slight feast, so we are enjoying fish today! Since our schedule last week was a bit rough, we have a few repeats this week. As this week progresses, our meals get more and more minimal and simple. Nejat is awfully young to fast the strictest fast over the Triduum, so we are encouraging her to try, but to break the fast if necessary. Mariam already knows that, so will make that choice as she must. I pray for a blessed Holy Week and Triduum for you all!

• Sunday - Palm Sunday
  Breakfast: Toast with Za'atar and Olive Oil, Tomatoes and Cucumbers, Blood Oranges, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Salmon, Smoked Sablefish and Crackers, Parish brings Side Dishes/Salads/Fruit
• Monday - Holy Monday
  Breakfast: Vegetable, Black Bean and Potato Breakfast Burritos with Prize Winning Roasted Tomato Salsa, Blood Oranges, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Burnt Garlic Vegetable Fried Rice, Blood Oranges
• Tuesday - Holy Tuesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Chopped Apples and Sheera, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Roasted Vegetable Laffa, Toum and Taratoor, Sliced Oranges
• Wednesday - Spy Wednesday
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Blood Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Sheet Pan Vegetable Chow Mein*, Fruit Plate
• Thursday - Good Friday
  Breakfast: Granola Bars, Sliced Apples, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Šalša and Gnocchi, Salad, Sliced Oranges
• Friday - Good Friday
  Strict Fast
• Saturday - Vigil/Holy Saturday
  Breakfast: Bread with Tahina and Date Syrup, Dipped in Sesame Seeds, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey (for those who break the fast)
  Dinner: Veggie Sticks, Fruit (for those who break the fast)

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fasting as a Family, Holy Week, Homemaking, Lent, Menu Plans, Palm Sunday, Tales from the Kitchen, Triduum