Holy Week

Holy Week - This is the most meaningful time of the year spiritually to me. I grew up in the Methodist church. Observing the liturgical calendar and developing an understanding and knowledge of this has always been so important in my life. I remember the first time way, way back in my memory as a little girl, really hearing the Easter story and crying through church, internalizing for the first time that there was a man - Jesus - who suffered like that for me. I grew up observing the season of Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and finally, the celebration of Easter. When Kaiti was beginning school, we made the decision to enroll her in Summerville Catholic. Before long, I joined as a member of the faculty. It was there that Lent and Holy Week took on even greater meaning to me. It was here that I learned about the Stations of the Cross , and taught students as young as 2nd graders what this meant in their lives. In my faith journey Easter is so much bigger than Christmas. Easter IS what being a Christian is all about. Easter is about accepting the true story and the gift that God has given us. It began with his entry into Jerusalem. A journey on a donkey when He knew what was ahead of Him. He went on in spite of what it held, and rode in "triumphantly"!! I read a meditation yesterday that put that donkey ride into a different perspective for me. Am I willing to "get on the donkey and ride with faith" when I know what lies ahead. Do I ride into a storm, bad times, possibly even death triumphantly with my head held high because I am certain of who is in charge? Is my faith that strong? Something to think about....

The Triumphal Entry

1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Matthew 21