Entering the Heart of Holy Week: A Conversation with Fr. Logan

Beth welcomes back her pastor, Fr. Logan Parrish, for a deeply meaningful conversation about the beauty and significance of Holy Week.

Fr. Logan shares powerful reflections on the spiritual depth of this sacred time — how God, who exists outside of time, chooses to work within it, making certain seasons and days holy. Holy Week, he reminds us, is not merely a commemoration, but an invitation to enter with Christ into His final days, His suffering, and ultimately His triumph.

The Significance of Time and Tradition

Fr. Logan highlights how time itself becomes holy, pointing out that the Church’s liturgical calendar keeps us connected to salvation history. He references the French Revolution’s attempt to secularize the calendar as a way to disrupt the Church’s rhythm of worship, reminding us that feasting and fasting help us remember the past and recognize God’s grace in the present.

A Journey Through Holy Week

The episode beautifully walks through the key moments of Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday is both a triumph and a tragedy. We raise our palms high, joining the jubilant crowd, only to realize how quickly those cheers turn into cries of “Crucify Him.” It’s a chance to confront our own moments of betrayal.

• Holy Monday and Tuesday feature the Chrism Mass, where priests renew their promises and sacred oils are blessed. Though typically celebrated on Holy Thursday in many dioceses, here it marks the beginning of a week-long reflection on the gift of the priesthood.

• Spy Wednesday draws attention to Judas’ betrayal, reminding us that we too can be tempted to trade loyalty to Christ for much less than thirty pieces of silver. It’s a sobering moment to examine our hearts.

• Holy Thursday brings the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, paired with the moving gesture of foot washing. Fr. Logan reflects on how the priest, like the towel Christ used, assists in the work of mercy without becoming stained by sin.

• Good Friday stands out with its stark silence, the somber reading of the Passion, and the priest’s prostration — a gesture that signifies both grief and deep reverence. It’s a communal acknowledgement of suffering, grief, and solidarity with Christ’s cross.

• Holy Saturday invites us into the quiet sorrow of waiting, a space for holy preparation, silence, and sitting in trauma with Mary and the apostles. Fr. Logan suggests this can be one of the most meaningful days, especially for those familiar with loss.

• Easter Sunday and the Octave call us to true and intentional feasting. Fr. Logan encourages making the most of these eight days, not with excess or mindless indulgence, but with meaningful celebration, community, and joy in the resurrection.

The Power of Fasting and Discomfort

Beth shares a personal story of how fasting during Lent, particularly after the loss of her mother, brought profound healing within her family. She and Fr. Logan discuss how fasting empties us, creating space for grace and mercy. It teaches us to endure discomfort for the love of others and prepares our hearts for the joy of the Resurrection.

An Invitation to Go All In

Fr. Logan closes with a simple challenge: let Holy Week be holy. Rearrange your schedule. Attend the liturgies. Fast, pray, and wait with Christ. Try it, and see how the experience changes you.

It’s a reminder that the liturgical year isn’t a mere obligation — it’s a living, breathing rhythm that connects us to the heart of God.

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