Holy Week

Holy Week is one of my favorite times of the whole year. Believe it or not, I actually prefer Easter to Christmas! I'm a bad consumer, I guess. I have loved Easter especially over the last few years because they have always seemed to be a time of great healing and contemplation for me. The Paschal Mystery is a thread that seems to run through the undercurrents of my life lately, and I can relate very deeply to it. The idea of dying to self, or dying to the hurt, or the pain, or to weakness...in order for us to be reborn in Christ's love...how beautiful is that?! It's probably my one of my favorite aspects of Christian theology, and I really do love how Catholicism takes it pretty seriously.

Tonight I was reflecting on Palm Sunday, and where I was a year ago today. I was listening to the Palm Sunday Mass at my alma mater, given by my favorite professor who also happens to be a friar. I can't honestly say that I remember what he said during his message, but I can remember the feeling of peace and serenity that came with that Mass, and the feeling of being totally and completely at home. I also remember feeling sad that my time with that community was quickly coming to an end, so my Holy Week was, once again, deeply personal as I died to that part of my life and my experience.

It got me thinking tonight about how our life experiences change so quickly. Last year, I was being ministered to and all I had to do was sit back and listen. This year, I was giving a major witness talk about my life to a group of high school seniors, and helping to plan and execute a Living Stations of the Cross to a gathering of over 100 people. God was clearly working through both experiences, but this year, I was on the front lines of the ministry. I miss being ministered to, but it's been an important learning experience this year to be the one doing the ministry. It's what I'm called to, so I am grateful for it. It's certainly not always easy...but it's where my heart's at, so it's worth it.

I realize that I am almost entirely driven by emotion when it comes to these reflections. Then again, Holy Week is also very emotion-driven. Non-Catholics often criticize the Church for guilt-tripping people through the week, making them feel awful for crucifying Christ. I can understand that accusation, but I actually appreciate the emotional connection that we make to Scripture. It's one thing to read it, and it's quite another to see it acted out, meditate on it, sing about it, etc. There are many things that I do not appreciate about the Church, but I commend it on its ability to deeply appreciate and love the sacrifice that Christ made, and that it's something that is not taken lightly or easily forgotten.

To close, I'll post a quote that I wrote up today for the ministry website: "“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” This famous scripture reveals the deep hurt and pain that Jesus endured while dying on the cross for us. Fully human and fully divine, Jesus understood all too well the feeling of being abandoned and rejected. We, as Christians, can place our trust in the love of Christ, who emptied Himself to the point of death for us. This Holy Week, I am trying to be more prayerfully aware of Christ's great sacrifice for me and for all humanity."

Peace to you all during this Holy Week.

Liz