Holy Week 

   Tomorrow is Palm Sunday.  On that day Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem amid shouts of joy and hosannas.  Palms were placed on the road before Him.  Palms will be distributed to keep as a reminder throughout the year.  Next year, they will be returned, burned, and the ashes again distributed on Ash Wednesday.  Then comes Holy Week, a time to reflect and relive the last week of Jesus on earth.

   On Holy Thursday we will gather to recall the Passover celebration.  The last supper narrative will be read and in part re-enacted.  Twelve will be chosen to represent the apostles and the priest will wash their feet just as Jesus washed the feet of the twelve at the last supper.  Afterwards, Jesus and the apostles would go to Gethsemane where Judas would betray Him with a kiss.

   He would then be “tried” by the Sanhedrin and take to Pilate.  He would be sent to Herod where he was mocked, ridiculed, and sent back to Pilate.  Some of those who had welcomed Him into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday would join the high priest and religious leaders in demanding His crucifixion.

   On Good Friday, we will relive the passion and death of our Lord.  We will walk with Him as He carried His cross through Jerusalem to Calvary.  We will remember His meeting with the Blessed Mother along the way, and the veil presented by Veronica to wipe His beaten and bloodied face.  The veil will forever carry the image of His face upon it.  We will remember and admit that it was our sins and the sins of all mankind that drove the nails through His hands and feet.  We will be reminded that even a thief on a cross can receive the mercy of our Lord.

   Even as He was dying He asked for mercy for those who had nailed Him to the cross, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 24).  His side was opened by the soldier’s lance, and blood and water flowed out, establishing His church forever.

   It will be a week filled with spiritual joys and sorrows.  A time to reflect on all Jesus has done for us, and to mourn His death on the cross.  Then, next Sunday, we will celebrate the greatest gift of all, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!