Death and resurrection – they are inseparable.  In every facet of life, something must die in order for new life to occur.  Think about it.  From the most trivial of events (trying to decide how to spend an evening - one option has to die before a decision can be made) to the more serious (the death of total independence for the new life of marriage and children) and thousands of other experiences as well.  Without a doubt, the most difficult deaths are physical-those of people we love and finally, our own.  Our faith tells us that life is not ended but changed.  We receive new life in God. But there is no getting around it – new life, resurrection can only occur after death.

The pinnacle of the Church’s liturgical year acknowledges this fact in its celebration of the Sacred Triduum. Before we show up on Easter Sunday in our best spring clothes to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, we are first invited to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and then to walk with him through his passion and death. The USCCB tells us:
The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum – from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday.  Though chronologically three they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery.

The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads us to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.