Having entered Holy Week we begin the transformation from lent into Easter where we will once again be called upon to commit ourselves to our faith. For some of us it will be full of religious ceremonies, which we have become so familiar with, but Easter for most is a time of contemplation, where a man called Jesus suffered, died and rose again.
But as we participate in Holy Week, we learn about Jesus, both God and man. A man who was starved and flogged within an inch of his life, his body soaked in blood. The large heavy cross that he had to carry, the crown of thorns dug into his head, a spear through his side. He bore this suffering for each one of us, for the whole world. That is why we say, he understands our sufferings and knows how we feel at the lowest points in our lives. How can he not, having gone through the most horrific agony that he did?
The thief on the cross shows how far Jesus Christ was willing to go, – ‘this man who was not even guilty’ but bore his suffering as a loving sacrifice for us.
Through lent and now Holy Week, we have fasted to experience a small part of what Jesus Christ went through and without. This Holy Week let us take the time to think about ourselves, our lives, our families and our faith. To learn from our experiences, to be more loving, compassionate and understanding in the way we express ourselves. Let us do this however all the while reflecting on the love God demonstrated on the cross. The one who made it possible for us to love also.
To treat people in the same loving and open way that Jesus Christ did, when he explained peoples wrongs and how if they really wanted to change their ways, to live out their lives in a different/better way, to follow him. He knows that it can be hard, that we do struggle, but he shows his love, compassion and understanding as he continues to speak to us today.
As blessed John Henry Newman said:
God created us for some definite service or work that He has not committed to another.
‘You may be the person, that one person that they turn to in their darkest hour’ for help.
‘You may be the person, that one person that they turn to in their darkest hour’ for help.
Jesus Christ said love one another as I have loved you.
Are we ready?
I was recently told that when you come to mass, that among the other great things, you have accepted the open invitation to recommit yourself. So may we use Holy Week as a time to consider the everyday things we should be doing all the time. How we can appreciate what we have been given, and consider how we can use our lives, our gifts to help others and to give back to others in our communities.
John Paul II challenged the youth and young adults of the world to step out into the dark. Pope Benedict XVI challenged us to be a light to each other, just like others who have gone out into the world to try to do Jesus Christ's work.
God asks us to trust him and to have faith in him, in his great love. We are not worthy by anything we have done, as we are all a work in progress, each on the path at different stages in our lives. We are not alone but a part of something that is worldwide, diverse and full of people who have chosen to try and follow Jesus Christ's path by living our lives the way he asked us to.
When we participate at mass and say amen, we are saying that we agree and believe in the glory open to us in the love of Jesus Christ.
So in this holy week, take time to explore, encounter and engage in conversation.
To deepen your personal knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.
To look at his words in the gospels and take time to think, pray and put aside time to contemplate.
To relax and appreciate life.
He is waiting for us to reach out and to be reconciled with him.
Is it enough to simply participate in the services during Holy Week? Or should we fully engage, suffer with Jesus Christ, die to our own agenda and rise with Him? Holy week calls us to first of all acknowledge exactly what we believe in, and then use that amazing gift of faith to go and do amazing things. I ask you therefore to watch this video, see if you do in fact agree and ask yourself... What am I going to do about it?
Alastair Anderson, 31,
Studying history at Nottingham University.
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