Entering our Holy Week…
Beginning this Sunday, Palm Sunday, we enter a companionship with Jesus, who enters his time of fully offering himself to us, and for us. We begin with his entrance into Jerusalem—riding, not a war horse or in a chariot, but on a donkey. This is the “Lamb of God” presenting himself as the paschal lamb, the one who is sent to bring deliverance from bondage, unconditional love for the world.
His journey to the Cross and his resurrection to glory is, as St. Ignatius says, “the greatest mark of His love.” And we are invited to make this journey with Jesus, gifted with gratitude and compassion—and joy. It is our opportunity to spend time with him, as we pray for the grace of compassion—as one would accompany a friend who is going through a loving but difficult time.
Holy Week can be a time when we are drawn together by bonds of love, with gratitude for this wondrous gift. And we can pray for the resurrection grace of sharing in the joy of Jesus in His risen glory and fullness of life.
The hymn, What Wondrous Love Is This, celebrates so well these gifts of love, compassion, gratitude, and joy—that we share in this holy week:
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb who is the great “I Am”
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be:
And thro’ eternity, I’ll sing on.
May all of us have a blessed week!
Len Kraus, S.J.
No comments:
Post a Comment