Holy Week Eve - A Reflection

Before continuing, read the Scripture readings for March 23rd, the Saturday before Palm Sunday.  Below is a reflection on these readings as we begin the holiest time of the year:

Begin your reflection by putting yourself in this Gospel scene as one of the “Jews who came to Mary”.  Something brought you to Mary in order to get closer to Jesus. You acted, you got off your couch and you investigated.  You saw Him make the blind see, the deaf hear and the lame speak. You saw him raise people from the dead, drive out demons and heard him preach with authority.  This stirred something within you but you didn’t know what it was. Was it truth or was it blasphemy?  Were you scared that this one man would bring the fury of Rome upon the Jewish people and ruin the relative peace you’ve enjoyed as a people?  Were you scared that following him would require you to give up your current life and all the bad habits you are comfortable living with?  Were you put off because of the crowd he hung out with who didn’t look like you, didn’t think like you and that made you uncomfortable?  Not knowing if these feelings were good or bad, you once again acted and sought the experts to give you some guidance, maybe to tell you how to feel or to interpret His signs or be reassured that yes, He is the Messiah. But those experts, the Pharisees, weren’t helpful because they were just as scared as you. Like you, they were scared that their way of life, the power they held and the comfort they enjoyed would be destroyed if the Romans heard of one of the Jews claiming to be a king. Did the Pharisees not remember what God told your ancestors, and what we are reminded in the first reading today?  That “I will be their God and they will be my people” and that they will enjoy an “everlasting covenant” of peace?  The Pharisees, who were wise in the scriptures, should have remembered this promise and seen the fulfillment of the covenant in Jesus. Yet, led by Caiaphas, they let fear rule them. They convinced themselves, and you, that the best thing to do for their people would be to kill this man who is causing all this controversy before the Romans get involved. Fear often fills a void where trust should be and instead of trusting God’s promise, fear drives us to grasp rather than to be led. 

As always, we must look to Jesus as the example. His disciples wonder if he will stay away from Jerusalem for the Passover feast out of fear of the Jews. Tomorrow, we will see if Jesus remains in hiding or boldly follows the will of His Father. What will you do during the final days of Lent?  Will you hide from participating in the Holy Triduum because you don’t want to ask your boss for some time off?  Will you refrain from posting on social media or proudly telling your family and friends who don’t believe that Christ is Risen for fear of what they will think? Be bold, like our Lord Jesus!