Today begins the Great Paschal Triduum.  At sunset, the great mystery of our redemption begins.  The reason the Word of God incarnated into a human being comes to fruition comes to us this very night.

The Paschal Triduum is one liturgical event. What the congregation will witness and partake between tonight, tomorrow (afternoon or) night, all through Saturday is one liturgical event.

On Thursday evening, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins with the Sign of the Cross, and ends with adoration till a late hour, as Peter, John and James did that strange night so many years ago.  It is a night that begins with the Sign of the Cross, yet ends in silence.  Good Friday begins, in silence, with the prostration, and ends with the silence of venerating the cross of our redemption.  The Easter Vigil begins with the crackling of fire with the Fire of the New Light of Christ, and ends with the Sign of the Cross.  Like any other Mass throughout the year, it begins and ends with the Sign of the Cross.  The Paschal Triduum is one liturgical event.

You cannot have the Eucharist without the Cross, you cannot have the Cross without the Resurrection.  You cannot have Thursday Night without Good Friday afternoon without Sunday Morning.  It is one event.

So begins the Great Drama.  The Universe is tilted, Chaos veers his ugly head.  Be present, O Christian, to the Great Mystery.  Your God comes to redeem you.