Carrying blessed palms, sign of victory over evil, we enter Holy Week as pilgrims of undying hope. The green branches speak to us of faith made new and of grace-filled days restored in Christ who is Way and Truth and Life. Our glad "Hosanna!" is a pledge of fidelity in this new springtime of grace. We reject the falsehood and fickleness that weary the heart and betray the questing spirit. This most holy week asks us to face our deepest questions.
With Pilate we have wondered and asked: "What is Truth?" Could it be that, like Pilate, when we are in the presence of the Redeemer we are too blind to see, too deaf to hear? "Lord that I may see! Speak Lord, your servant is listening."
Now, the light overcomes all darkness. Chains are broken. Our long-time slavery is ended. The Scripture message is not just of wonders worked by God in far-off times. "See, now, I am doing a new thing. . .!"
We enter into the freedom Christ has won for us. The Gospel calls with love, and promise of grace abounding. "Greater love than this no one has . . . I have loved you with an everlasting love." No one would wish to stand apart from the saving graces of this healing week.
The Holy Spirit guides us as we go to the Bethany of Mary and Martha and fragrant Lazarus, where the atmosphere of the Galilee springtime echoes with the glad "Hosanna" on the morning air. We see the upper room and say our thanks for life-giving Eucharist. We pray that His redeeming love will never again find in us a trust betrayed. Beneath the paschal moon, amid the ancient olive trees, we watch with him and beg for grace all too aware of our sad betraying frailty. We walk the Calvary road with our redeeming Christ and promise, Simon-like, to help the weary and the weak and those sorrowful unto death. May the story of salvation never cease to melt our frozen hearts and stir our torpid wills. "He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified died and was buried. On the third day He rose again." With Mary and John we stand before the cross on Calvary. We treasure the grace-filled words of the fragrant atmosphere of everlasting mercy: "Father forgive them. They know not what they do." As we close our eyes each night those words of pardon echo in mind and heart, and banish all despair.
Music and painting and poetry may awaken and inspire. But Prayer alone can bring us healing. "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening . . . Crucified Saviour, teach us how to pray!"
Many shrill and strident voices assail our ears. We must come apart and make islands of stillness and give ear to Him who alone can fill the great emptiness of the questing human heart. "Love is His meaning."
Holy Week sheds light on the darkest corners of the heart. Christ alone makes pattern and meaning of the tangled skein of joy and sorrow, fidelity and betrayal, that shapes the fabric of our vanishing days. "Into your hands, O Lord, I command my spirit"
Even in darkest hours, from the empty tomb, will come the shining light to guide us safety home. We come to stillness and to prayer.
Yet sometimes when the sun comes through a gap,
These men know God the Father in a tree,
The Holy Spirit is the rising sap, and Christ will be the green leaves that come
At Easter from the sealed and guarded Tomb"
(- Patrick Kavanagh)
"May some fruit of the Tree of the Passion fall on us this night."
F.MacN.