From 15–19 April 2019, while many Marvel fans were looking forward in great anticipation and expectation to the movie, Avengers: Endgame, Christians all over the world were looking back in remembrance of our own “Endgame” – the culmination of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth.  So did we at Trinity Theological College.  Our chaplain, Rev Dr Jimmy Tan, led the TTC family in preparing our hearts corporately through an intentionally established three-fold foci daily in the Holy Week that would climax with the Easter Tridium when students would celebrate with their own sending churches.

Firstly, homilies were preached by our very own students each day at noon, realigning our collective focus on Christ’s journey to the cross and His finished work on the cross. This helped us to remain in a meditative and penitential posture amid the ongoing busyness of lectures and assignments. These daily sessions climaxed on Maundy Thursday where we had a symbolic stripping of the altar, removing of the liturgical vessels, veils, linens and frontals – a stark visual reminder signifying the humiliation and barrenness of the cross.

Secondly, in conjunction with the mid-day homilies, the chapel was left open throughout the day for the community to pray and meditate. Live (by Ng Ee Chiat, BD 2019) and recorded meditative music also filled the sanctuary after the noon services during the week. In addition, meditation aids in the form of hand-held crosses displayed at prayer chambers in our very own prayer garden were provided to assist with meditation and prayer, which many chose to utilize throughout the day.

Lastly, reflections based on the penitential psalms crafted by students from our Penitential Psalms Class were posted daily on our TTC Facebook and Instagram pages from Ash Wednesday as devotions for both our community and friends.

Together, we recalled the ‘endgame’ of our Lord; triumphing over death and bringing us all to victory, as we too die to ourselves and identify with Him.  ‘“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’  (1 Cor 15:55-57).

By Bryan Tan (BD1)