Holy Week begins this Sunday with Jesus’s solemn entrance into the City of David. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, the humblest of animals. That is his way of indicating that he has chosen to be a Messiah who saves his people by suffering for them, and not as the mighty warrior King that so many had hoped for. On Thursday of this week, Jesus gets down on his knees and washes the feet of his disciples and, rising, commands them to love one another in exactly that same humble service. That unforgettable gesture is followed by a special meal with them during which he institutes the Holy Eucharist as a lasting memorial of his dying and saving love. At that same moment, he establishes the Order of the Priesthood so that this Sacred Bread will be forever available for his people.
Right after that last supper, Jesus goes into the garden where he pleads with his Father to spare him from having to drink from the chalice of sufferings that he is about to endure. His final prayer, though, is one of total acceptance of whatever is the Father’s will is for him: “Not my will but Your will be done.” This is yet another example for his followers to imitate.
Hours later, he is judged, tortured, and forced to carry his cross to Calvary where he is crucified, dying between two thieves.
But death does not have the last word. Early Sunday morning God recreates new heavens and a new earth in raising his beloved Son to the glory of new life. That singular divine act has made all the difference for all of creation and for every one of us. Because of the Resurrection, the Cross, rather than a shameful stumbling block to faith, is rather the precious and powerful symbol of our salvation from sin and death.
Christians throughout the world are encouraged to accompany Jesus and those that followed him at every step during the few days and momentous events of Holy Week.
With Peter, let us learn the meaning of Christian leadership from Jesus who washes the feet of his disciples and leaves his last command: “As I have done for you, so you must do for one another!”
Peter first boasts that he will never betray Jesus and then does just that –three times! But Jesus does not give up on Peter. Nor will he ever give up on you and me -- no matter how often we may disappoint or fail him. But, once again, his command to us is this: “As I have done for you, so you must do for one another.”
During this week, we encounter the Sorrowful Mother in the most poignant way. When all but John and a few brave women desert him on Calvary, Mary stands right there near the cross of her son to the end. She will not let her son die alone. After his death, he is taken down from the Cross and placed in the arms of his mother. She caresses him in death just as tenderly as she had caressed him at birth. Hers is a mother’s love. Jesus’ gift to us from his cross? His own mother!
With thoughts like these, let us prayerfully be with Peter, Mary, and all the others who themselves accompanied Jesus to Calvary in sorrow and then encountered him anew at Easter with unimaginable joy!
Pope Francis encourages us to practice the virtue of accompaniment with one another. Let’s begin by accompanying those who, before us, walked with Jesus in his final days of suffering, death, and resurrection!
Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
