We're coming up on Holy Week. This Sunday is Palm Sunday and we'll sing "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Matthew 21:9), and then turn around and yell, "Crucify Him!" (Mark 15:13). We'll hear how Peter followed Jesus from a distance (Matthew 26:58) and how John stood at the foot of the Cross (John 19:26). The drastic changes in this story are quite apparent and the seeming disconnect between the faith of the apostles can call into question the future stability of the Church. And yet, through all of this, the Church has given us a great gift in Holy Week.
This week gives us the opportunity to find our place in the Church, to truly enter into the Passion of Christ. It challenges us to call into question our own faith and fidelity to Christ. In times of persecution, do we run like the other apostles? Do we follow at a distance, like Peter, in fear that someone might recognize us as a follower of Christ and persecute us as well? Or do we find ourselves at the foot of the Cross, like John, suffering out of love for our Beloved?
Let us take this last week of Lent to prepare to fully enter into Holy Week. May the Holy Spirit inspire in us a better understanding of ourselves and give us the grace to follow Christ more closely along the Way of the Cross so that we can more joyfully participate in the Resurrection.
Written by Alycia
