We began Holy Week today, well technically at the Vigil Mass yesterday of Palm Sunday. We arrived at Mass this weekend to the blessing and distribution of palms as we remembered Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Hosanna! Hail! He is our King! Then the transition occurs and in a matter of moments we are hearing and possibly participating in the Gospel. Jesus is condemned to die, beaten, scourged and we shout all the louder, Crucify Him! Give us Barabbas! Crucify this Jesus!
Can we feel the betrayal? Can we place ourselves on the road to Golgotha? Do we recall, as we utter those words, Crucify Him, our own sinfulness and those times we truly are not following the example of Jesus? Does that moment come when you realize that without the sacrifice of Jesus, we would have no hope of eternal happiness in Heaven? Do we thank Him for such a great price He truly paid?
When we left Mass today, did we take note of all the many ways we are called to participate in Holy Week? Can we make the effort to make this week different, where we truly place Christ 1st in our life? Face it, we all want Christ to be 1st in our lives, the center of our hearts, minds and souls. But we fall short often, do we not?
In the week ahead, dare I guess that there will be beautiful prayer services, daily Masses, proper devotions and even the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to all? Will we clear the clutter of our calendars and our lives to place Him first, at least this week, this Holy Week? Maybe tonight or tomorrow we can take some action in our own homes, with our spouse at our side and our children at our feet. Perhaps we can read aloud from Scripture, particularly the many poignant passages of Christ's sacrifice, or the prophesies from the Old Testament that point to Jesus as our Savior by His life, passion, death and resurrection? Perhaps reciting the Rosary together in our homes can be a way to be different this week; different from the indifference of schedules and TV shows and our own ambivalence that all too often prevent us from having Christ 1st in our life?
For me, I look forward to reading my Scripture this week and the sublime beautiful prayers from Holy Week's Divine Office. I plan to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation too. If you are local, please know that confessions will be heard Tuesday night at Most Holy Trinity and Wednesday night at St. Peter's in Covington.
Wednesday I will be at Rayburn Prison where the men will be gathered to celebrate a traditional Seder meal, reflect on the Passover and prepare for Easter. It will be a source of great joy to be with these men during Holy Week!
For all of us reading this post, please strongly consider participating in the Mass of the Lord's Supper, on Holy Thursday evening and the Good Friday 3 PM commemoration of the Lord's Passion. Good Friday is the only day of the year without a Mass in the Catholic Church.
Speaking of Good Friday, strongly consider your own approach to the day. Down here in Louisiana many Catholics indeed understand the importance of the day. Time spent alone in Church is common as well as several Stations of the Cross devotions throughout the day. Many employers give time off for this important day. A really bad habit has developed of using the afternoon to throw huge crawfish boils or other feasts. Really? This is the day on the Church calendar we remember that Jesus died for each of us. Party another day. Today, pray and reflect on the greatest gift any of us will ever receive; the gift of Christ's body, broken upon that cross so we may live, eternally, in happiness, in Heaven!
By the time we arrive at the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, it will be a time of great joy! Holy Week is designed to help us all understand, there is no Resurrection without Crucifixion! There is no eternal life without sacrifice and yes, suffering in this life. But there indeed is Resurrection, there is eternal happiness. Keep that in mind, make this your focus as you prepare your personal response to Holy Week, which is upon us even now!
May the days and week ahead be a time of great spiritual renewal and concentration on what is truly important.
Let's check up on one another throughout the week. Make this the holiest of weeks!
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