Level Three: Faith-Informed. Content

Transcription

1 Level Three: Faith-Informed Content a. This information will not be given directly to the students. Instead, it is our goal that the students understand the general concepts described below. For example, Spain celebrates every day of the week, including the days that are celebrated by the Catholic and Protestant churches, such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. This information is also included so that the teacher knows the specifics and is capable of answering any student questions about daily church practices. b. Spain i. Church Practices Domingo de Ramos- They celebrate the entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. This event starts the great excitement of Easter. The celebrations for this day include the first story of la Pasión and the fist popular processions. Lunes Santo- The liturgy enters in the anguish of the passion that described the last days of Jesus life. The story of Jesus and the scandal of Judas are shared. It is later demonstrated with a few processions. Martes Santo- Tuesday is characterized by the liturgy as the exaltation of the cross that brings pride for the Christians. The mass of this day is based on the scriptures of Mark. In many places, the protagonist of this day s processions is the cross. Miércoles Santo- This is the day that the Jewish court meets to condemn Jesus. This day begins with fasting. It is the first day that the church celebrates el Oficio de Tinieblas, a special funeral for the death of Jesus. The processions of this day reflect this somber sentiment. Jueves Santo- This is the day that the last supper and the institution of the Eucharist are celebrated. It is also the day that special attention is given to the poor. The processions mirror these sentiments. Viernes Santo- This is the day that significance of la Semana Santa centers around. It is the day of the most pain and the death of Jesus. It is a day of rigorous mourning. The masses are filled with prayer, and the priests read the gospel according to John. In the middle of the celebration, the congregation reveres the cross where Christ died for the salvation of the world. This is the second largest day of processions in which the people mourn the pain of the physical death of Christ and the personal anguish of his mother. Sábado Santo- This day does not have an official worship service associated with it. It is the day of mourning for the death of the Savior. During the day, people continue to visit the monuments and celebrate. At midnight people

2 begin to celebreate the Vigila Pascual, which is the first part of the benediction of the new fire and water. The Misa de Gloria, Glorious Mass, with the ringing of bells and full of alleluias corresponds to the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Domingo de Pascua de Resurrección- The happiness from the Vigila Pscual continues into the early hours of the following day. Around noon, they celebrate the resurrection with a solemn mass. These descriptions were roughly translated from the site: c. United States i. Catholic Church Practices Palm or Passion Sunday- the day Jesus rides into the Jerusalem- Hold palms up during the readings from the Bible. The palms from the previous year are collected and burnt for Friday. Holy or Maundy Thursday- day before Jesus was arrested, final dinner- Father washes feet of others. Symbolic of service and humility. Good Friday- the day of Christ s suffering, death, and burial- The tabernacle, where the Eucharist is kept, is opened. When the priests enter from the rear of the sanctuary, they lay down before the tabernacle. This is a somber occasion symbolic of the suffering that Jesus experienced. This is also the beginning of Adoration, where the priests bless the Eucharist and it is left on the alter guarded by a priest until noon on Saturday. Noon on Saturday is the official end of lent. Easter Sunday: day Christ rose from the grave- Midnight service called the Easter Vigil in which the priest blesses all of the oils, fire, holy water, etc. that will be used for the next liturgical year. Then there is usually a sunrise service during which the biblical story is read aloud. An extraordinarily important communion is also given this day. ii. Protestant Church Practices Protestant practices vary amongst sects and even churches. Most have services for all of the same days as those celebrated by the Catholics: Palm Sunday- During the service, palm branches are distributed. There is not the same stress for individuals to hold on to the palms for the next year. Maundy Thursday- still the last supper, foot washing service Good Friday Easter Sunday

3 d. Themes i. This information will be presented to the students by the teacher. Students will use the outline provided to take notes and read the scriptures. ii. Repentance Los nazarenos dress in black robes and cover their faces with los capirotes and walk the streets barefoot carrying between one and four cruces. They reason for this action is that they are repenting for their sins. They carry the crosses to mimic the suffering of Christ. Similar to this concept, those who are carrying los pasos walk blindly and in pain, carrying a large burden. They reflect upon their sins and trust in the voice of the individual who is leading them. Relevant Scriptures o Matthew 27:27-32 This passage describes the physical suffering of Jesus, and that they forced him to carry the cross. o Mateo 27:32 y lo obligaron a llevar la cruz. o Luke 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. o Lucas 3:8 Produzcan frutos que demuestren arrepentimiento. o Luke 13:3 Unless you repent, you too will all perish. o Lucas 13:3 De la misma manera, todos ustedes perecerán, a menos que se arrepientan. o Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. o Lucas 14:27 Y el que no carga su cruz y me sigue, no puede ser mi discípulo. o el arrepentimiento the repentance o arrepentirse- to repent o la cruz- the cross iii. Suffering of Christ The processions walk day and night, through the city. The endlessly tiring event is again meant to symbolize the suffering of Christ. Relevant Scriptures o Matthew 27:27-32 This passage again describes the physical suffering of Jesus.

4 o Mateo 27:27-32 Los soldados del gobernador llevaron a Jesús al palacio y reunieron a toda la tropa alrededor de él. Le quitaron la ropa y le pusieron un manto de color escarlata. Luego trenzaron una corona de espinas y se la colocaron en la cabeza, y en la mano derecha le pusieron una caña. Arrodillándose delante de él, se burlaban diciendo: Salve, rey de los judíos! Y le escupían, y con la caña le golpeaban la cabeza. Después de burlarse de él, le quitaron el manto, le pusieron su propia ropa y se lo llevaron para crucificarlo. Al salir encontraron a un hombre de Cirene que se llamaba Simón, y lo obligaron a llevar la cruz. o Mark 14:34-36 My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch. Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not that I will, but what you will. o Marcos 14:34-36 «Es tal la angustia que me invade que me siento morir les dijo. Quédense aquí y vigilen.» Yendo un poco más allá, se postró en tierra y empezó a orar que, de ser posible, no tuviera él que pasar por aquella hora. Decía: «Abba, Padre, todo es posible para ti. No me hagas beber este trago amargo, pero no sea lo que yo quiero, sino lo que quieres tú.» el sufrimiento- the suffering el trago amargo- the bitter drink iv. Praising and Rejoicing Christ While the people in the crowd often sing reverent songs and reflect upon their sings of the year, las bandas de música mostly play lively music proclaiming the strong Christian belief that Christ has raised from the dead and that he is Lord. Relevant Scripture o Luke 24:6 He is not here; he has risen! o Lucas 24:6 No está aquí; ha resucitado! Recuerden lo que les dijo cuando todavía estaba con ustedes en Galilea o Psalms 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. o Salmos 47:6 Canten salmos a Dios, cántenle salmos; canten, cántenle salmos a nuestro rey. o Psalms 98:4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music. o Salmos 98:4 Aclamen alegres al SEÑOR, habitantes de toda la tierra! Prorrumpan en alegres cánticos y salmos!

5 resucitar to bring back to life, resurrect cantar to sing aclamar to shout Overarching Questions What is the religious significance of la Semana Santa, both in regard to specific practices and the holiday as a whole? How does Spain s Christian faith influence its public practices? What Christian beliefs are demonstrated through the practices of la Semana Santa? Which country practices Easter closest to the Scripture? What is the true spiritual climate of Spain? Activities Students will return to the Venn Diagram and discuss the biblical foundations behind the various practices found in each of the countries. Students will complete the attached worksheet which assesses the connections between cultural celebrations and religious beliefs. Students will Skype with a Spanish missionary. The missionary will explain the spiritual apathy and religious situation to the students. The teacher will then lead a discussion contrasting the outward religious practices and inward spirituality in Spain. Following the completion of the worksheet, students will be given an in class writing assessment. Permission granted by Christina Sottile and Ashley Zanolini for classroom use only.