Beginning with First Vespers for the Sunday of the Passion (this year, the evening of March 24), it is customary to veil crosses and icons within the church and home. Part of the reason for this custom is given in the Passion Sunday Gospel, which ends with these words: “Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” (Jn 8.59)
Why does Jesus hide? It is not to flee nor in shame. Certainly (as the context shows), the Jewish people are blinded to who He truly is and His salvific purpose. So, in this sense, He is hidden from their sight. However, as we read through the Gospel according to St John, we learn that Our Lord hides Himself so that He might unveil Himself in His glory.
As we enter the final two weeks before the Triduum Sacrum (“the holy three days”), it is our particular Western tradition to imitate this Gospel by “hiding Jesus” (and his saints) with veils. Among other things, these veils increase our fast; it now becomes a fast of the eyes as well as a fast from food.
Yet do not despair! Just as Our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection manifested His glory, so Our Lord’s glory will soon be revealed in two ways: first, when the Cross is unveiled on Good Friday before we venerate it, and then at the Paschal Vigil when all veils are removed from all crosses and icons.