For they did not yet understand the Scripture...

Following is a reflection that I did for the Archdiocesan Union of the Holy Name Society of New York:

During this month of March, the Church enters into the most holiest time of the year. Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday on March 20^th and comes to a climax with the death of Our Lord on Good Friday and his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.

During this week the we see our Lord fulfilling the will of the Father by allowing to be betrayed by sinful men and being led to Calvary to be nailed to the Cross. With all his suffering and the betrayal that he experienced he still had in his heart love and forgiveness for those putting him to death.

As members of the Holy Name Society, we are called to grow closer to the Lord. One of the best ways to do this is through the quiet and reflective reading of scripture, also known as Lectio Divina. During Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday morning, we have plenty of choices to choose from in order to reflect on.

Starting on Palm Sunday, you will probably hear two gospels. The one I’ll be reflecting on is from Luke 19:28-40, read at the beginning of mass, just before the blessing of the palms. This is the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The phrase that strikes me is: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” (Luke 19:38). Is Jesus truly our king who comes in the name of the Lord? Is he the center of all we are and all we do?

On Holy Thursday, the day that our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist, we hear the gospel of John, chapter 13:1-15. In this gospel we don’t’ hear the words of institution of the Eucharist (we hear them in the epistle 1 Corinthians 11:21-26). What we DO hear in this gospel is the washing of the apostles’ feat at the Last Supper. The phrase that strikes me, and maybe you can reflect on it, too, is: “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.”(John 13:14).What I feel the Lord is teaching us here is if we want to be of service to Him, we are to be of service to one another. This is our call as Christians and followers of Jesus.

This brings us to Good Friday, the most solemn day on our calendar. The gospel is from John, chapter 18:1-19:42. This gospel centers on the trial and crucifixion of our Lord. What I would like to reflect on in this gospel is the part which we, as Holy Name men, could relate to: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’” (John 19:26) In this passage Jesus gives to us, through the apostle John, His mother to be our Mother.

Finally, on Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Church calendar, we read of the Empty Tomb in John 20:1-9. The line that strikes me, after the apostles and the women find the Empty Tomb, is, “For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” (John 20:9). This is a call for us to always study scripture and attempt always to learn what God is trying to teach us. Scripture is to be the center of our study of God.

So, take time during Holy Week and reflect on these, and all the passages that Holy Mother Church puts before us, and reflect on the love that God has for us in allowing His Son to die for us and for our salvation.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!