March 24, 2024

As we enter the holiest week of the Church Year, our thoughts turn to Christ's great love for us manifested in all that he accomplished to save us. From his acceptance of the humble praises of the Hebrew children on Palm Sunday and the gift of himself in the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday to the insults hurled at him by a fickle crowd with the resultant crucifixion on Good Friday, Jesus responds with nothing but love. 

During the season of Lent, our efforts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving cultivate our hearts to accept these gifts of Christ's love for us by making them tangible in our service to God and others. It is my sincere hope that at least some of the good works that you began this Lent continue as good habits practiced through life. 

Holy Week is a time when the church brings forth her oldest traditions in the Liturgy to show the faithful the rich heritage that is ours, a heritage inaugurated by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ in his passion, death and resurrection. Take the time this week to participate in as many of the services of Holy Week as you can. Enter deeply into the mysteries we celebrate during this holy time. Parents, this is one of the best times to teach your children about how much God loves us by sending his son Jesus to die for our sins and rise again to give us the hope of eternal life. Take your children to church and spend time in prayer together as a family. 

All of you are in my prayers this Holy Week that your celebration of Christ's death and resurrection may enliven your spiritual selves so that whatever your station in life, you may respond generously to God's love for you. May you make a good holy week so that a joyous Easter may be yours in fullest measure.