What do we commemorate during Holy Week? Several significant events. On Holy Thursday we commemorate the washing of the feet and the giving of the Eucharist. On Good Friday we remember Jesus’ agony in the garden, his frightening arrest, his torture at the hands of Roman soldiers, the unjust trial, the decisive death sentence, the betrayal of his disciples, the awful crucifixion, and the hasty burial. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of Jesus’ sufferings and pains–so much so, we cry out, “Look how much he suffered!” But years ago in a scripture class, I remember how our professor, Fr. Demetirus Dumm, OSB, suggested a more important way to look at Holy Week. While being rightfully aghast at Jesus’ horrific sufferings, we must also cry out, “Look how much he loved!”
For love lies at the heart of Holy Week. It is the key to all the events we commemorate. And what is the basis to all real loving? In a word, it is our vulnerability. Vulnerability, I read recently, means we are all wound-able. We have limitations, we lack self-sufficiency. It means we need others to survive. We experience this need everyday! How many other people does it take to provide us with safe water and food, shelter, roads and bridges, safe air travel? We need healthcare workers, researchers, just laws, and a fair legal system. We need elected government officials who serve with compassion for all–especially the most vulnerable among us. And the list goes on and on. But we need others not only to survive, but also to flourish–so we especially need our family and friends.
By ackowledging our vulerability and need, we learn how to open ourselves to love. But loving is a great risk. Yes, it means opening ourselves to possible joys beyond measure: finding our “soul mate,” bringing a child into the world, finding our life’s passion and work. But opening ourselves to love also means opening ourselves to possible pains beyond measuring: rejection, betrayal, failure, the agonizing loss of a loved one. In his book (1960) entitled The Four Loves, British writer C. S. Lewis warns:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket–safe, dark, motionless, airless– it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”
In Jesus, we have a God well acquainted with our struggles and agonies. Tish Harrison Warren, an Anglican priest writes: “Jesus experienced death. He knew what it was like to die…. He knows the feeling of his cells being starved of oxygen, of cardiac arrest and suffocation…. There is no darkness into which he has not descended. He knows the taste and texture of everything I most fear.” (Prayer in the Night).
This week, as we celebrate the mysteries of Holy Week, we are not merely recalling something that happened over 2,000 years ago. We are remembering what is happening in our current times. Just look at our headlines! What breaks your heart in today’s headlines or in your own personal life? Thankfully, Jesus continues to nourish us with the Eucharist to help us face the real challenges to loving that we see and experience every day. He invites us, after his example, to lovingly wash the feet of others–in whatever form that washing takes: feeding the hungry (whether a stranger in a shelter or your family in your own kitchen), clothing the naked (donating clothes or getting the grandkids dressed), working for greater justice (whether volunteering directly or writing to your congresspersons), accompanying one who is afraid, praying for those who are in our headlines–both victim and perpetrator and their families, really listening to another, bringing joy to someone in need of encouragment, bearing patiently our own losses and letting go’s, and entrusting everyone and everything into the arms of our all-knowing and all-loving God.
For reflection:
Did any words touch your heart in today’s reflection? Do you know why?
Recall a time when you experienced your vulnerability in a small way? in a dramatic way? What affect did these experiences have on you?
When have you had your heart broken? Did anything positive emerge from that experience?
What are some ways Jesus showed his love during the “first Holy Week?”
What or who helps you to trust in an all-knowing and all-loving God?
Our song today is Deborah Govenor’s beautiful “Remember Me.” The first two verses speak of the Last Supper and Jesus’ agony in the Garden and death on the cross. The third stanza speaks of our participation in Jesus’ sacrifice and selfless loving…
I wlecome your comments below–on the reflection, the questions, the photos, the video…
19 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
What breaks my heart? What makes me afraid? You are so right, Melannie, when you write, “just look at the headlines.” A few weeks ago, a doctoral student from Tufts, who is in this country legally, was accosted and arrested by five plain clothed ICE agents — some wearing masks — brought to an SUV — also unmarked — and then taken out of state. Her apparent crime? Evidently, she wrote a pro-Palestinian op-ed piece in the school newspaper. Good Lord! I have to believe Jesus weeps for her because it happened to him in yesterday’s reading of the Passion in Luke: “after arresting him, the led him away.” In regards to what seems to be happening more and more, “Stop, no more of this!” (Lk.22:51).
Vulnerability gets my attention this morning. There are so many vulnerable folks in our country including Kilmar Abrego Garcia who was wrongly deported to an El Salvador prison due to an “administrative error” by the Trump Team. The Administration is refusing to bring him back to the US despite the Supreme Court’s 9-0 decision in Garcia’s favor. Lord have mercy on us all during this Holy Week!
Thank you Sr Melanie for you beautiful reading about Holy Week. How I hope and want my HW to be more meaingful than has been my Lent. Remember me Lord and may I remember otherers and your great love throughout this week and beyond.
Good morning Sister Melannie and all,
Thank you for another meaningful reflection. Your words of Jesus’ invitation to “bear patiently our losses” sink deep within me this morning as I ready to attend a funeral. As you probably know, we at St. Anselm Parish are suffering the collective loss of our beloved Deacon Bob Kovach. He will be remembered as a Joyful servant of the Lord, giving God His Glory in all, but especially through his devotion to Eucharistic Adoration. May we all be comforted by our Suffering Jesus as we walk with Him this Holy Week.
These are indeed troubling times in our country and most of us have endured other occurrences which disturbed us and perhaps we protested and wrote letters, and voted differently or even started a new group to help end the injustice.
This time prayer is essential to end the underlying hatred that is driving this current
Movement against the most vulnerable in our society.
Surely Christ will hear and answer us.
Marilyn Woidat
Good morning, Sister. Each part of your blog today had significant meaning for me: vulnerability, C S Lewis’ passage, the Anglican priest Trish Harrison Warren, the questions of our current times, and the song. Each section caused me to reflect more deeply on what this week means. All of it goes to the picture of Jesus on the cross shown and the colorful cross with Jesus’ name. His dying and His name. When I feel deepest grief and despair – I call His name, Jesus, over and over like the colorful cross. This is what makes life bearable and beautiful and keeps me going. Have a blessed Holy Week, everyone.
I agree with all you wrote. It was a lot to think about and it also makes me think more about this week.
I concur with what your readers write above. The song is especially beautiful, and the refrain, “Remember me” evokes the words of the “good thief” on Calvary. He will die with Jesus, and Jesus promises more than to remember that man. I take heart from these words for myself and all others who will die sooner or later. As Richard Rohr and others have said, whether we die quickly or slowly, we lose our coherence in our bodies, our self-control, our independence even if we need a cane or air from a ventilator. Our cry has to be, “Into your hands I commend my life.” (As it has to be with each healthy breath.) Please pray for all who could die.
Thank you for this wake-up call. I long for and pray for an intimate relationship with the Lord. Reading the quote from C.S. Lewis pointed directly to my roadblock. I lived with a hardened heart for so many years. Gratefully, through reading scripture and spiritual readings my heart is softening. Allowing myself to be vulnerable will be a huge step. God please give me the grace to move forward.
Good morning Sister, your chosen video is as always excellent. The quote from C.S. Lewis made me think of all the times I have been hurt by, rejected by someone I love and how I close my heart to them to try to deal with the pain. Yet I realize that closing my heart to them is really closing my heart to God. So then it’s time for Confession and starting over in His Love. As others have said, the hatred, rejection and shutting out of others that is taking place in the world is difficult to read about. Even worse is ‘getting used to it’, succumbing to apathy. Only God working through us showing His Love to others, one by one, can make the darkness light.
Hello Sister Melanie,
This is such a special week for all Christians. The words “Remember Me” will be running through my mind for most of this week. How could I forget God’s great love for all of us, especially the most vulnerable, and those in the headlines. I will remember Jesus great sacrifice and his gift of the Holy Eucharist. Thank you so much for all your Monday inspirations’. May we all have a Blessed and Beautiful Easter.
The hymn is beautiful and brings me to tears. Currently my son’s wife, my beautiful daughter, is in Canada because she has been unable to get immigration status here. They are expecting their first baby. I am a widow, and this is my only family. I am heartbroken. My son is seeking Canadian citizenship. If this country doesn’t want his wife and child, he has no other options. Hope is in my heart – I don’t have much else.
Thank you Sister, this is a great reflection on what we really need to be contemplating this week, what is truly important and why Jesus really died for us.
Thank you, Melanie. Beautiful once again. Blessed Holy Week and Easter.
Thank you, Sister Melannie, for leading us to this beautiful rendering of the Way of the Cross. The Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Indiana is right next door to us. It is a place of peace, inspiration, hope, and faith. We are so blessed to have it so geographically near. Combining the moving sculptures with the song that most signifies Holy Week for me, is such a touching way to experience the Lord’s Passion. On each Good Friday many come from all around to make the Way of the Cross led by our Bishop…Everything at The Shrine is supported by donations. It is a magical place of mystery and miracle. Thank you again for sharing this gift.
Thank you for this reflection.
Beautiful reflection once again, thank you Melannie. It is powerful to be reminded of the great love of Jesus manifested in his life and suffering; the great love in his choice.
Very moving and beautiful video, the words, music and images brought me to tears. Wishing all a good and Holy Week and blessed Easter.
Good morning everyone,
Indeed, everything was impactful, but the video has truly touched me deeply. I have sent it to my siblings, as well as my Spiritual directees…..I’ve listened to it numerous times so far this week.
May we all find sustenance to go another step on this foreboading journey we find ourselves on since January, looking for flickers of hope along the way and offering hope to those we meet.
Have a blessed HW and joyful Easter,
Mary
Hello Sister Melannie,
As my 52 year old son, Danny was dieing from cancer he said the following to me, “You know that we die twice, once when our body dies and the second time when no one remembers our name.” This meditation reminds me of my beautiful son. So much of what you write touches my heart,
Thank you and God bless you, Sister Melannie. Happy Easter!
Priscilla Gray Plott