And so we enter into Holy Week. Yesterday, we celebrated Our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeting Him with palms, excitement, and joy! But today, we hear of the Lord’s servant who, like a “lamb led to the slaughter” (Is 53:7), did not cry out, who did not make His voice heard in the street. We hear of the servant coming to establish justice on the earth who will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick (Is 42:2-4). We hear of Christ’s burial, that Christ will not always be with us (Jn 12:7-8). What a shift, from the triumphant entry to predictions of the Passion!
Today, we begin to shift towards Holy Week, towards the mysteries of our salvation! And as we look forward to what is coming later this week, we should begin to prepare our hearts for these sacred mysteries. In just a few days, we will be celebrating the institution of the priesthood and of the Eucharist. In no time at all, our Lord’s Passion and Death will have been celebrated and we will have been reconciled to the Father. And only three days after that, we will celebrate Our Lord’s rising from the tomb. What a packed week!
As we transition in this week to these solemn, sacred mysteries, let’s begin to prepare our hearts. Let’s begin to open them up to the Lord, who suffered and died for our sake, out of an incredible love. Let’s let Jesus into our hearts in a special way this week, as we let Him into Jerusalem. And let’s prepare to walk the Way of the Cross with Him.
