Holy Week

By Marivel Ramírez Miranda, Associate, Nuevo Chimbote, Peru 

As he rode along, 
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; 
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, 
the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. 
They proclaimed: 
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” 

Luke 19:36-38

In the gospel, we see this moment of great jubilation and recognition for our Lord; just before his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, where he was acclaimed to be king, but he arrived riding on an ass, a beautiful demonstration of his humility and simplicity. At that time, he was received with great enthusiasm as the king who came in the name of the Lord, and today we recognize him the same way, as our king and Lord. But do we praise him with the same passion and enthusiasm? 

The words “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” show the desire for the peace and glory of God to be manifested on Earth, through Jesus.  This phrase reminds us that his mission is to bring peace and reconciliation between God and humankind. 

May this reflection help us to deepen our faith and follow Jesus through welcoming our sisters and brothers. 

By Sister Deborah Troillett, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Here is my servant whom I uphold, 
my chosen one with whom I am pleased, 
Upon whom I have put my Spirit; 
he shall bring forth justice to the nations, 
not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. 
A bruised reed he shall not break, 
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, 
until he establishes justice on the earth; 
the coastlands will wait for his teaching. 

Isaiah 42:1-4 

God’s introductions are important as are the images employed that make certain things very clear. Today’s Isaiah reading provides both. Yet, this introduction is a “replay” from the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism. There we were publicly introduced to what to expect from this manifesting savior of ours. There we also saw Jesus aligning with John’s baptism rather than “other” baptizers. Isaiah’s prophetic words and Jesus’ action portend God’s sovereign power—not in power dominance displays or executive orders or in daily “street noise” shouted across social media channels. This sovereign servant brings liberty and justice through compassion, tenderness, mercy and kenosis. Jesus honors rather than “cleans out” the smoldering wick and bruised reed vulnerability of the most vulnerable. This Holy Week Monday we are reminded of what we have been told to expect. Soon Jesus’ way—the way of the cross—will be fulfilled. As Mercy, we walk this passion way with him and in that following, become more “smoldering” and “bruised” ourselves.  Thus, may we stand—perhaps more credibly—in solidarity with all those most vulnerable. This week in following, we profess once more that his vulnerability, suffering and love ultimately win the day—the third day—when smoldering wicks become God’s theophanic and prophetic Easter fire re-cast upon earth.

By Sister Lillian Jordan, Belmont, North Carolina, United States​

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” ​
Jesus answered him, ​
“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, ​
though you will follow later.” ​
Peter said to him, ​
“Master, why can I not follow you now? ​
I will lay down my life for you.” ​
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? ​
Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow ​
before you deny me three times.”

John 13:36-38​

The incomprehensible love of God brings us to life. The unrelenting forgiveness of Jesus sustains and saves us.​

We know Jesus to be fully human and fully divine, like us in all things but sin. Jesus’ free choice to be like us opened him to experience life as we do, both in joy and in sorrow. His desire to be like us is an invitation to us to be like him. How humanly difficult it must have been for Jesus to experience the pain of betrayal and disappointment of one of his closest friends, Peter, who promised to lay down his life for Jesus. Knowingly, Jesus responded to Peter: “Amen, Amen I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times” – and so it was. Similarly, my intended faithful response to Jesus’ unconditional love for me often falls short. ​

Some chapters later we read of Jesus forgiveness and restored trust in Peter when Peter is asked to feed Jesus’ sheep (Jn, 21:15-18).​

Our loving God’s compassion and forgiveness is limitless. God holds nothing against us but instead repeatedly invites us back into God’s Divine embrace. I take heart in knowing that I am totally loved and forgiven.​

May these concluding days of our journey to the cross this Lenten Season be complete in the joy of the Resurrection.​

By Sister Dolores Hannon, Omaha, Nebraska, United States

I will praise the name of God in song, 
and I will glorify God with thanksgiving: 
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; 
you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 
For the LORD hears the poor, 
and God’s own who are in bonds are not spurned.”

Psalm 69:31-34

The six lines of the Psalm invokes three strands of thought.

The section starts with praising God, glorifying God with thanksgiving. Offering praise to God is a natural part of the rhythm of my life because at times I have been blessed. I also know that during times of pain God has been with me, so I give praise and thanksgiving.

In the second strand of thought, we are assured that our God hears the needy and does not despise the imprisoned. May this give comfort to the poor and imprisoned. I struggle with this strand because I want God to do more than hear the poor and imprisoned; I want their lives to be improved. And I want it now. And so, I question.

The third strand contains four words: “May your hearts revive,” meaning regain life, consciousness, or strength. Perhaps I need to pray for a revived heart that is strong enough to encompasses praising God and questioning what is going on in the world.

During this final week of Lent, I join you in praying for a revived heart.

By Sister Rayleen Giannotti, Cumberland, Rhode Island, United States

He rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”

John 13:4-7

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples experience their “master” and “teacher” turning a long held custom upside down. He bows down and washes their feet! Then, when finished, Jesus asserts that this act of veneration which is usually toward one’s master is an act of moral necessity for his disciples toward one another. According to Sandra Schneiders, Jesus is demonstrating that loving each other in humility and service is a “continued manifestation of the outpouring of the Spirit of Jesus.” As one member in a community of disciples, one may ask: To what acts of humility and service am I being called? Am I humble enough to allow another to serve me? When my life is complete, will there be enough evidence that the Spirit of Christ was manifested through me? Have I loved as I have been loved?

By Sister Aura Rudelsol Matalines, Iligan City, Philippines​

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, 
            our sufferings that he endured, 
while we thought of him as stricken, 
            as one smitten by God and afflicted. 
But he was pierced for our offenses, 
            crushed for our sins; 
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, 
            by his stripes we were healed. 
We had all gone astray like sheep, 
            each following our own way; 
but the LORD laid upon him 
            the guilt of us all. 

Isaiah 53:4-6 

What makes this Friday good? Today is extraordinary because, as Isaiah foretells, “The Son of God surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many and win pardon for their offenses” (Isaiah 53:12). Good Friday marks the ultimate display of God’s love: allowing God’s Son to endure death on the cross for our redemption.

Meditating on Jesus’ suffering—His humiliation, pain and death for my sins—humbles me deeply. I am challenged to reflect: Where am I in my obedience to His will? How do I respond to my own suffering? Too often, I complain and resist instead of surrendering it to God. Yet Good Friday reminds me that suffering, united with Christ, has the power to transform. It is an invitation to grow in forgiveness, trust and obedience.

Jesus’ journey to Calvary shows us that even in our darkest moments, God never abandons us. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Through God’s grace, we can endure, and through Jesus’ resurrection, we find hope. My heart overflows with gratitude for that first Good Friday—it is the day our salvation was won.

May this Good Friday lead us to repent the times we’ve denied truth, chosen pride over humility, or sought worldly glory over God’s will. Let us draw strength from Jesus’ obedience: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). As we take up our cross, may we trust that, like Christ, we too will one day share in the joy of the resurrection.

By Sister Patricia McDermott, Dallas, Pennsylvania, United States

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

Then God said,
Let there be light, and there was light.
God saw how good the light was.
God then separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:1-4

The Easter Vigil is resplendent with rich images woven through a story of endless love and unfathomable fidelity.

The Christian community gathers in darkness and stillness, attentively remembering the words, invitations, saving actions of the Holy One who has stayed faithful.

  In the beginning, the earth was a formless wasteland and darkness
  covered the abyss.  God said, “Let there be light.” 

  Etching into the sky a rainbow…a promise.

  Sending forth God’s very own to create a path that all may follow.

At this Easter vigil, we put on again a new heart and a new spirit; we come to the water. Renewing our baptismal promises, we are one with Jesus. This water marks our commitment that seals our oneness with the Holy One and with each other.

We, then, listen to the story of the stone rolled back and we sense the energy of resurrection. We know we are home. We belong. We are blessed to go forth.