As I watched the donkey watch us on Palm Sunday, I was reminded of simpler things and all things less fancy. It was in his expression that I knew this year needed to be different. This Holy Week was meant to be different. This Holy Week will not be about numbers at each mass in attendance, or who is there and who is not, or even about the ‘whos’, but rather it will be about the Who; the One we came to feel, to see, to pray for, pray to; to worship and adore!
Yes, another Holy Week is now upon us, but this year Holy Week will be intentionally different. When you hear us as clergy strongly encouraging you to attend the services of Holy Week, especially the Great Triduum days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, it’s not just because, as Father Tim Schenk reminds us, we like to see more people in the pews, or it’s good for our egos, or we want more parishioners to see how much effort goes into pulling off these vital and uplifting liturgies, those that are core to our faith.
No, it’s because we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the transforming power of our Christian faith. It’s because we love you and want nothing more than for you to have such a moving encounter with our Lord Jesus, that it will change your life. It’s an invitation rooted in profound love, and a recognition that there is literally nothing more important in the entire world than to participate fully as we collectively journey from the Upper Room to Calvary to the Empty Tomb and to Easter Joy!
St. Francis once said, “Great and glorious God, and Thou Lord Jesus, I pray you shed abroad your light in the darkness of my mind. Be found of me, Lord, so that in all things I may act only in accordance with Thy holy will.” May it be so for us, as we gather simply into the Presence of God this Holy Week. This year will be intentionally different.
God’s peace and coming to you and yours. See you as we gather our souls as one into a gracious Holy Week at Saint Miriam.
Pray for me as I do you,
Monsignor +Jim