Holy Week

This is the only week in the liturgical year we designate as “Holy”. We call it “holy” because of the great events which took place on this week. In the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate the mystery of our salvation. These events are not just a nice memory, but we relive these mysteries in our lives as we die to sin and rise with Christ to new life. We relive these mysteries of faith in every Mass. “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” These mysteries give meaning to all our dyings and risings throughout our lives. These mysteries sustain us in the difficult and hard days of our lives. As we begin this final week of Lent – this special week – we can stop and ask: how well have we observed the discipline of Lent? Have we examined our lives in the light of the Gospel and made the necessary changes?

Here is a brief meditation called “Mirror Image”. There is an old African folk tale about a princess who lived with her father, the Chieftain, and their tribe in the heart of the jungle many years ago. All her life the princess was told by everyone that she was the most beautiful of women. With no mirror to see herself, she had convinced herself of her unparalleled beauty. One day a pack of European explorers traveled through that part of Africa. As a peace offering, they presented the Chieftain and the tribe with a number of gifts. To the princess they gave a mirror. For the first time in her life she was able to see her own reflection. Her immediate reaction was to mash the mirror on the nearest rock. For the first time in her life she saw the truth. Lent, in effect, holds a mirror to all our lives and challenges us to face the reflection we see. It is a time to take a hard look at the choices we make in our lives and challenges us to face the reflection we see. It is a time to take a hard look at the choices we make in our lives and the values upon which we actually live out our lives. Lent calls us to embrace God’s spirit of truth so that we make the choices demanded by our complicated and complex world with courage, insight and faith. These final days of Lent challenge us to seek out and proclaim the truth revealed in the Gospel; the uncompromising love of God for all men and women; the never-failing hope of light’s triumph over darkness; the Easter resurrection over Calvary’s Cross; the moral authority of faithfulness and humility that resonates long after fads fade and self interests prove unsatisfying and empty.

God of wisdom, open our eyes to recognize you and your truth in all things. Open our hearts to accept what is right, good and just, despite the costs. Open our spirits to know the freedom and joy that is ours in embracing your spirit of truth, mercy and compassion. (Connections, Lent 2006)

REMINDER: GOOD FRIDAY is a day of fast and abstinence.

The guidelines set forth in the beginning of Lent hold true through Good Friday.