Palm Sunday heralded the start of the Holy Week for us all. At mass came the reminder that from that day onwards, our Lord proceeded to take on the Cross because of His love for us but more importantly, because of His love for God, our Father.
It is not, however, until perhaps Wednesday afternoon or evening that the holy meaning of this week or the following days will get to many of us. In fact, what is probably closer to the truth is that many are thinking of holidays, rather than holy days this week.
Those in holiday mode will have already started to travel back to their hometowns or to new or old destinations by the sea or the hills or mountains. A number may already have left or are ready to go abroad, especially among those whose graduation ceremonies have already been held or those whose school terms have finally ended.
There are those who will still have to go through their own calvary, those who are still at work, those completing their school requirements, or those preparing for exams set for next week, after this holy week. There are those who feel each day is Holy Week, those who continue to carry their crosses of poverty, of hunger, of unemployment, of injustice, and other social ills.
Blessed are those who have gone into prayer mode, not only during this Holy Week but throughout their days, throughout their lifetime. What a beautiful world ours would be if only all will go on continuing holy mode daily.
For if each day were holy to us all, like Holy Thursday, we would see more who, like Jesus, will take the towel and water, and wash and dry the feet of their brothers and sisters. If each day were holy, all will try to be like Jesus in serving others, rather than being served by others.
If each day were holy, more will share the joy of being with friends and foes like Jesus did. For His last supper, He chose to share bread and wine and time with His disciples even as He knew that among them, one had already betrayed Him.
If all days were holy, like Jesus, more will stretch their patience and demonstrate their love as they wait for those who have sinned against them to ask for forgiveness. If all days were holy, more forgiveness will take place, more sinners will realize that they are given more time and still the free will to choose to ask for forgiveness, to choose to be truly sorry for their sins just like a repentant Peter showed us all.
Oh, that the betrayers and the corrupt in this land will be touched by the holiness of these days of Christ's passion and resurrection, that they will choose to be truthful, to repent and to ask for forgiveness! Oh, that the evil in our midst will be overcome this week by the holiness of the Lord and will surrender to the power of truth and obedience and service to God and people!
If all days were holy as shown during Good Friday, more would realize the true meaning of love. For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son Jesus Christ who took up the cross and died so as to redeem us from our sins and from death.
Until Sunday, however, we are given a day between His crucifixion and His resurrection to reflect on the meaning of His passion and death for us. We are given another day to be holy, to deny ourselves, to take up His cross, and to follow, follow Him. The day before Resurrection, we are given as well a full holy day to realize the meaning of what it means to lose God, to lose Christ through our sins, through our faults.
Gratefully, the holy week ends with the Glorious Resurrection! Even as we sinned, He gave up His life for us so that we may all be saved! And if all days were holy, Christ's Resurrection , His redemption, His great love for us will live on in our hearts.
If all days were truly holy and truly days for, of and with the Lord, every day will be a day of joy, of jubilation, of sharing, of caring, of truth, of justice. If all days were holy, Holy Weeks will not just be for seven days but all holy days will feel, will be like unending holidays for all.
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Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com