Palm Sunday is soon upon us, and Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. But what makes Holy Week holy, and wherein is holiness during next week to be found?
First of all, Holy Week is simply the name and title the Church assigned to next week ages ago. It is a fitting and proper designation, for the events of Holy Week are those by which we are saved. In this sense, Holy Week is holy because of what happened in it.
Yet that truth does not help us find holiness within it. In this sense, we are the ones who make Holy Week holy in our own lives. We are the only ones who can make Holy Week holy for us. How can we do so? I’d like to suggest three “P’s” to help us along the way.
Pause. For most of us, Holy Week will be just another week with all our normal activities and responsibilities. Yet in the midst of our daily activities, we can take the opportunity to pause and reflect. If you are not doing so, next week is a great time to spend some devotional time with the Lord. Regardless of the form it takes, we can stop, pause, and reflect on what God has done for us throughout Holy Week.
Pray. Pausing leads naturally into prayer. Whether it is a short “thank you Lord” in the midst of a busy schedule or a more concentrated time of intentional prayer, Holy Week is a time for prayer. I recommend trying to get away from offering God our petitions and pleas, and coming before the Lord in reflective silence so that He might work in our hearts and spirit. The ancient Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (or a shorter variation of that) repeated over and over is a great way to begin. You can learn a little more about how to pray the Jesus Prayer here: http://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Jesus%20Prayer.html
If you prefer to mediate and pray on the assigned scripture passages through Holy Week, you may find them here: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/1HolyWk.htm
Participate. While Holy Week can be appreciated through our own individual practice and efforts, the real power of Holy Week is in shared remembrance. Holy Week is meant to be experienced together in living remembrance and community. I invite you especially to plan on participating in the Agape Meal on Maundy Thursday, and in one of our services on Good Friday. Participation in the events of Holy Week gives us even more reason to celebrate the resurrection with joy at Easter! See article below for times of our Holy Week services.
May this be our prayer throughout Holy Week. “Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”
See you Sunday!
