The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Today begins the holiest week of the year.
We begin Mass by witnessing Jesus’ glorious entrance into Jerusalem, waving our palms and marveling that the King of Kings truly has come. Then, we hear the full story of his final days in the Gospel.
Before we experience the glory of the Resurrection, we’ll follow Jesus in real time through the hardest week of His life, from His Last Supper on Holy Thursday, to the darkest of days on Good Friday. We’ll hold the grief of Holy Saturday in silence as we sit before the closed tomb.
Think of all the times Jesus has accompanied you through a difficult time, how He has remained with you, offering you His peace and presence. This week, we get the incredible opportunity to do the same for Him.
How can you be present to Jesus this week? How can you offer Him comfort? How can you unite your sufferings with His?
Maybe He pulls you toward the Mass readings each day or gives you a nudge to go to confession. Maybe He asks you to start your day in silence with Him. Or perhaps He invites you to simply keep the events of His days at the forefront of your mind, offering up any trial you encounter for His suffering.
No matter what your Lent has been like, whether you’ve grown closer to God or feel further away, whether you’ve stuck to your goals or were too exhausted to even attempt to give up anything—let this week be a new start.
Stay awake with Him in the garden. Do not run or deny Him. Remain close at the cross. Join the women at the tomb on the morning of Easter.
With God’s help, may we fully enter into these next six days and love Jesus as He deserves to be loved. Let this week truly be holy—set apart for Him.
Abby Fredrickson lives in Grand Rapids, MI with her husband and three sweet kiddos. She is a founding team member of Hallow, a Catholic prayer and meditation app.