Catechist Know How March 2008

Holy Week

by Mary Lou Rosien

Holy Week is upon us and we look back at our Lenten journey. Where did we start? How far have we come? Are our spiritual muscles stronger from our prayers and sacrifices? Is the journey over?

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. Christians are joyful that their Savior has arrived. That joy quickly turns to anger and fear as they begin to realize that the Messiah has not come to make this world their heaven, but to encourage them to sacrifice and look toward a heaven that will follow this world. He has come to conquer sin, but it will not be removed even as it is overcome. Are we ready to accept this news today? We look back at our journey through Lent and assess whether we have come closer to accepting this message. We hope to find ourselves walking more closely with the Lord. Looking at His plan for our lives and not desiring the things that we think are best for us.

Soon we celebrate the Last Supper. Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist, even as He plans to offer Himself up for our sins; He leaves Himself for our fortification. We then walk the road to Calvary with Him on Good Friday.

e watch horrified as He is tortured and dies voluntarily to free us from sin. We mourn and rejoice at the same time. For me, one of the moments I most strongly experience my faith, is when I walk into my church Friday night for the living stations of the cross and I can feel that the Lord, my Lord and my God is not in the church. The grief inside my soul causes a physical ache in me. Then, almost as quickly, I begin to anticipate the joy that Easter will bring. Christ will again be present in the world, in the Eucharist, in my heart.

How can we impart this knowledge to our students? This year, we will make a new commitment to help them experience the beauty, wonder, grief and joy of the Church’s most holy celebration. We can do this by educating them on the importance of Holy Week. Encouraging them to participate in all the Church’s celebrations this week. Offer them opportunities to serve by participating in the living stations, serving as altar servers, singing at the Masses or bringing the gifts to the altar. We can provide a strong example of our own faith to them. We can put our faith first, above our daily obligations (when possible), above our own preferences of food or drink, above our earthly pleasures. We can increase the visibility of our prayer life by praying a Rosary with our class, participating in the Liturgy as a lector, or greeter and attending as many of the Church’s celebrations as possible.

I pray that this has been a season of growth for you, your families and your classes. I celebrate the Risen Lord Jesus Christ with you. I love you and pray for you, dear reader and I am grateful for you.

Mary Lou Rosien writes from North Chili, NY. She is the author of Managing Stress with the Help of Your Catholic Faith (OSV Publishing). Write to her at mrosien@rochester.rr.com.