This Sunday, we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord that marks the beginning of Holy Week in which we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hailed during Palm Sunday, ridiculed during Good Friday, but exalted on Easter Sunday. All of these events we will unfold this week, especially as we enter into the Triduum. But the question is, how can we make this week holy in order to get into the paschal mystery that Jesus endured for us? Let me share with you the thoughts of Fr. Jerry Orbos, an SVD priest, who came up with a meaning for every letter of the acronym HOLY WEEK.
Hopefully this can be of help to us. He said:
H – Halt! Stop for a while or at least slow down, especially this week.
O – Off with your worldly concerns. Turn off your cellular phones if you have to, so that you can focus on your spiritual life this week. Don’t let the world and its cares disturb the tranquility of your mind and soul this week. Let the world go by and let the Lord take care of everything.
L – Listen. If you are in the Off or Silent Mode, then you can really listen, pray and meditate. Take time to listen to God and tell Him what’s happening with your life. Allow the Father to wrap His loving arms around your shoulders once again and just listen. Is there something you are missing in your life? Is there something more you need to do in your life?
Y – Yield to God. Let go of your grip on your own life. Be on the lookout for His road signs as you travel on. Listen to His instructions and you will find your way.
W – Warm up your Relationships. Time to allow your loved ones feel that warm-and-sunny spring you, not the coldand-cloudy-winter you. Reach out to the people you have taken for granted or left out altogether. Time to call a friend or family members. Call, text, write, smile and hug. Use anything that will help you repair, restore and revitalize your relationships.
E – Erase the burdens of guilt and sin with a good, honest and humble confession. Heed God’s call: “Come back to me with all your heart. Don’t let sin keep us apart. Long have I waited for your coming home to me.” In response to God’s love, may we also say to God, especially this week: “Create a clean heart in me, O God. Give back to me the joy of your salvation.” Time also to erase hurts, resentments, anger and ill feelings. Forgive people who hurt you and ask for forgiveness from people you have hurt, cheated, used or abused in any way.
E – Express your love. Whatever you do, especially this week, like praying, fasting, works of penance and deeds of charity, let them all be expressions of your love and gratitude to God. Let them be done, not out of fear or out of obligation.
K – Kneel down. In humility, kneel down in prayer before God and thank Him for suffering so much, for dying on the cross and for rising again for our salvation. Somebody died for you and me. Let us not allow this week to pass without personally thanking Him.
Have a HOLY WEEK! Below is our schedule for HOLY WEEK:
Holy Monday - Regional Penance Service here at 7:00 P.M.
Holy Tuesday – Meeting with Ushers and Greeters at 6:30 P.M.
Holy Wednesday – Mass will be at 8:00 A.M.
Holy Thursday – CHRISM MASS – Blessed Sacrament Cathedral at 10:00 A.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper with the Washing of the Feet at 7:00 P.M. Adoration until 11:00 P.M. Night Prayer at 11:30 P.M.
Good Friday – Liturgy of the Word/Veneration of the Cross/Communion Service at 1:30 P.M. Tenebrae at 8:30 P.M.
Holy Saturday – Altar Server Practice at 10:00 A.M.
Blessing of the Easter Food Baskets at 12:00 Noon
Easter Egg Hunt at St. Mary Cemetery (weather permitting in the hall if raining) at 1:00 P.M.
Easter Vigil - 8:30 P.M.