Holy Week

Today we encounter the risen Lord in the Word, and our hearts burn within us. We encounter Him in the breaking of the bread. Christ is here among us, the deepest and most magical reality of all. We are not alone. We have been saved, and in Him we have been raised up. 
 
Readings at this Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37–43 | 1 Cor 5:6b–8 | Jn 20:1–9

Today is 'good' because allows us to grieve the brokenness of our world, the wounds we carry, and the losses we endure. And through our faith, we can find hope, for the cross reveals that God has entered into our suffering and, in Christ, redeemed it. 
 
Readings at this liturgy: Is 52:13—53:12 | Heb 4:14–16; 5:7–9 | Jn 18:1—19:42

We all have those parts of our life that we avoid looking at, hide from others, and even pretend God can’t see. But he does see — and He cares. His love for you is unrelenting and entire. He doesn’t want just the pretty parts of your life — He wants all of you. To take all the smelly, grungy, ugly places in your life and make them cleansed and healed and refreshed.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 12:1–8, 11–14 | 1 Cor 11:23–26 | Jn 13:1–15 

It's hard to believe the message of the Cross. It's hard to trust that in letting go, we'll receive; that through suffering, we'll find healing; that it's in dying that we'll find life. But that's really the heart of Holy Week: life now comes through the Cross, because that's where Jesus has gone. Because of Jesus, because of what He's done for us, everything is grace. That's the truth we celebrate this week.
 
Readings at this Mass: Mt 21:1–11 | Is 50:4–7 | Phil 2:6–11 | Mt 26:14—27:66

Our Lord made the journey to Mount Calvary to take on the sins committed by every human being in the past, present, and future. Tonight, as we journey with Him, is the night to recommit ourselves to live out our identity as Christians; to yearn for the Eucharist, the life-giving and eternal food; and to lay down our lives for one another in service, forgiving faults, and creating peace.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 52:13—53:12 | Heb 4:14–16; 5:7–9 | Jn 18:1—19:42

God wants to touch your life. To wash your feet. To change your heart. These days aren’t just about remembering what happened to Jesus 2000 years ago. In a very mysterious but real way, they’re about becoming present to Jesus, allowing him to draw us along the path of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 12:1–8, 11–14 | 1 Cor 11:23–26 | Jn 13:1–15

Jesus' ambiguous answer to the question of who He was should also be a challenge for us: do we call Him our King, our Savior, our God? Do we see Him in all moments of our lives? In whatever way we suffer, do we unite our suffering to that of His? Or do we glorify Him only in the good moments, and put the blame on Him when we are suffering, when we are alone and afraid, when we feel abandoned and rejected?
 
Readings at this Mass: Lk 19:28–40 | Is 50:4–7 | Phil 2:6–11 | Lk 22:14—23:56 

We proclaim "Christ is risen" not akin to a slogan like "Elvis Lives". No! It is the truth that this life has been broken into by eternity. Our destiny is not utter annihilation. It is a reality that is the complete fulfillment of all that is good here on earth.