Lent Must Lead to Holy Week

It seems like yesterday that we began our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday. We come now to the reason for that journey - Holy Week, including the Sacred Triduum (the Sacred Three Days). It is for what we have been preparing. Beginning this Sunday, as we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to his giving himself in the Eucharist at the Last Supper, to the events of his Passion and Death on Good Friday, to his glorious Resurrection, when he conquered sin and death for each of us, we get to experience the very essence of our lives.

Holy Week gives us the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage with the Lord through these very real events of our salvation. Each of the liturgies throughout the week draws us into these actual moments. These are not fictional stories to teach us a lesson, but rather the true story that has allowed us to live in the hope of eternal life.

It is easy to allow Holy Week to pass by as just another yearly ritual. This would be an opportunity wasted. Yes, God-willing, there will be many more Holy Weeks in our lives but think about what we wouldn't have if it wasn't for Holy Week.

So where are each of us at this moment?  This Sunday starts Holy Week 2026.  We are nearing the finish line of our Lenten marathon.  For some of us, it may seem like a sprint.  In a blink of an eye, we went from having ashes imposed on our foreheads to preparing to wave palm branches again, recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  In between then and now, many of us tried different things to boost our spiritual life. We tried adding prayer time.  We fasted from some of the many things that distract us from who should be the top priority of our lives.  For some, it helped us lose weight, for others it preserved some battery life on our phones. Hopefully, everyone had some experience that brought them closer to the Lord.  

However, it would all be wasted if we ignored Holy Week.  Lent is not meant to merely be a self-help program, designed to better our lives.  While it has that potential, it should never leave us feeling we can accomplish our well-being purely on our own.  Lent should remind us that we need a savior and most importantly that we have a savior.

Lent is meant to draw us into the events of Holy Week.  Even if we feel like we dropped the ball many times this Lent, those disappointments are reality checks of our need for a savior.  We had ashes placed on foreheads not as sign or strength, but as an acknowledgment of our weaknesses.

It is time to place ourselves in the story of Holy Week.  This is not a fictional story but a story of true events, which shows us the most important Truth of our lives.  We are not left for orphans but have been saved by the God who loves us. No matter how you assess your Lenten journey, it is time to connect with the most important week in human history. 

- The Servant

 

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent

John 11: 1-45

 

It’s good to rest.   That’s why we sleep.  If we don’t sleep, we’re no good for anything or to anyone.

However, at some point we must wake up and get back to work.  We can’t sleep the day away.   If we do, we’re certainly no good for anything or to anyone.

 

It’s good to rest, relax and restore on a retreat.  Yet, at some point we need to return to the “real” world.   Otherwise, we’re just hiding from the real world. We may feel renewed, but, for what?  The intent is to use that break so that we can be better able to do the work we are called to do.

 

Even Jesus took breaks. It is said that there are nine occasions where scripture tells us, in so many words, that Jesus went off to pray.  But each time he returned, renewed, to the mission that the Father had given him.

 

When we lose loved ones we say, “May they rest in peace.”   Even while dealing with our loss, our grief, we know through our faith that their suffering is over, and that paradise awaits them.  We pray, “Eternal rest grant unto him/her, Oh Lord …”  Yet, we also know that they are called to new life, eternal life.

 

When we hear the story of Lazarus we certainly understand that he has now entered the realm of eternal rest/eternal life.  That he has now transcended the trials and tribulations of this world.  We can imagine that comfort and peace he must have been experiencing as he lay in rest in the tomb, though this time was difficult, indeed, for his sisters, Martha and Mary and for his friend, Jesus.

 

However, his work on this earth was not yet done.  There was more for him to do, even if it was only to stand as a witness for all the ages of the power, glory and mercy of God.

 

So, whenever we discern the need take a break, to sleep, to rest, recharge, renew, we also must be mindful that this is not the goal in and of itself, because Jesus always calls us to more.  Eternal rest and eternal life will be ours someday, but not yet. We cannot become lulled into a sense of bliss by the comfort that a temporary break provides.  Complacency, self-isolation and despair are forms of death.  Jesus doesn’t want that; it makes him weep.  So He calls to us, “Come out!”  His words bring us to new life and loosen that which binds us.

 

The story of Lazarus is a reminder that our purpose is to live life and serve God to the fullest, and to love without limits.

 

 

“Call Me Ishmael”

 

Into His arms.

In this week’s Gospel, John 9:1–41, Jesus restores sight to a blind man.

As Jesus and the disciples were traveling, they came across a man who had been blind from birth. The first question the disciples asked Jesus was, “Who sinned? Was it this man or his parents that caused him to be blind?” In other words, why was he being punished?

Jesus rejected those questions and explained that just because someone is suffering does not mean they are being punished. In fact, it may be the opposite. It may be that God is able to work a blessing through that person’s suffering and do something that will positively change their life. In this moment, the disciples receive a lesson that we can all learn from: God works in our lives in ways that we may not understand, but that are ultimately for our good.

How many times have you been disappointed and unsure of what to make of it? I’m talking about those moments when you were completely let down and struggled to understand why. Have you ever lost an opportunity that you thought was yours? Have you ever lost someone you thought you couldn’t live without?

What I have found is that our small minds cannot fully grasp the power of the Lord. God wants us to have the life He has planned for us, not always the life we want for ourselves. In some cases, the life we want will not lead us closer to God. If that is the case, expect a detour. Expect to be rerouted.

God wants what is best for us and for our relationship with Him. He may close a door or remove someone from your life if it means drawing you closer to Him. What seems like a lost opportunity is usually something completely different. It may be the very experience you need to change course. Don’t be so sure that God has taken you off the right path—He may be leading you straight into His arms.

God has worked in my life through so many disappointments. Time after time, I’ve had to pick up the pieces of a shattered heart or a missed opportunity. In those moments, when I am being “rerouted,” it feels like my world is falling apart. But now I can say that has never truly been the case. God has been right a whopping 100 percent of the time.

When I look back, I can see that many times God’s favor has come disguised as an unfortunate situation. My trust is, and always has been, placed in the Lord, even when I cannot clearly see the plan. No different from the blind man in the Gospel, who was unable to see until Jesus made it possible.

Take a good look at your life and think about all the times you have been blinded by the nonsense of this world. The shiny objects, the newsfeed, the negativity of the people around you—all of it has a way of ruining our vision. This world is full of blinders that keep us from seeing the right path for our lives. This is exactly why God has to keep rerouting us.

If I can be honest, God’s path is narrow, less traveled, and filled with potholes. It is not easy to be a follower of Christ, but it is rewarding.

The rewards are not the material wins that most people think about. The true reward is knowing that you have a relationship with the Lord that is rooted in His love for you. This reward cannot be earned or won. It has already been given to each one of us. All we have to do is accept it and trust that, with or without sight, we are being led exactly where God wants us to be.

If only...

 The Gospel reading for tomorrow is Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a drink of water. (John 4:5-42).  This surprises her because they are of different backgrounds.

In this moment, I can only think of the ongoing wars and destruction in the Middle East.  I can only think how our world could reflect the Kingdom of God if people were kind to each other.  I know that's not at all profound.  I know it's simplistic.  

But it is painful for us to watch the lack of regard for human life and dignity.  And I can't help but thinking that our "leaders" tap into the worst instincts of the governed and amplify them.  And the leaders exploit those instincts to make certain people "the other". 

In this passage, Jesus recognizes that there is no "other" and that we should treat all humans with dignity.

So what do we do?  We treat all people we meet with dignity, mercy, and kindness.  And we take whatever lawful and peaceful actions we can to try to affect positive change within our governments. 

Nothing profound here.  Nothing new.  Just a hope and a plea.

Peace be with you.

- The Older Brother