Reflection
Holy Week
Next week is Holy Week which is last week of Lent. It is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Some of the key days are Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday. Most importantly, there is the Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday where the Resurrection of Jesus is celebrated.
What does Holy Week 2024 mean for us? Pope Francis points us in the right direction. He made some points that are valuable for us to reflect on.
Love of God and neighbour
It is especially important during Holy Week to spend time devoted to prayer, listening to the Word of God, following the example of the Good Samaritan by caring for our wounded sisters and brothers. Quoting from his Lenten Message for this year, the Pope said, "Love of God and love of neighbour are one love...In the presence of God, we become brothers and sisters, more sensitive to one another."
Opening our hearts to others
Holy Week marks "a time of grace that the Lord gives us so that we may open the doors of our hearts" and our communities, the Pope recalls, and going out to meet Jesus and others, also to bring the light and joy of our faith. He encouraged everyone to go forth with love and with God's tenderness, respect and patience, "knowing that we offer our hands, our feet, our hearts, but that it is God who guides us and shows us the way."
May we take up the Pope’s message in our lives this Holy Week and make it a time of openness to how we can love God and others more.
Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide.
Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.
For the full article on Pope Francis’ thoughts on Holy week in 2024, see the link below:
