the week
"Here is My Servant Whom I uphold, My Chosen One with Whom I am pleased, upon Whom I have put My Spirit." —Isaiah 42:1
In this Holy Week, Jesus will "open the eyes of the blind...bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness" (Is 42:7). This can be one of the greatest weeks of our lives, if we throw ourselves at Jesus' feet and worship Him (see Jn 12:3). As we fix our eyes on Him (Heb 12:2), He will open our eyes and heal our blindness. As we worship Him freely, He will free us from prison, confinement, the dungeon, and darkness.
However, it's easy to ignore Jesus — even in Holy Week. He refuses to demand our attention. He does not cry out, shout, or make His voice heard (Is 42:2). He is quiet, gentle, and humble of heart (Mt 11:29). Jesus will even let us scold Him, as Judas Iscariot did (see Jn 12:4ff). He will even let us crucify Him, as we do through each of our sins.
In a manner of speaking, we can continue to crucify Him and hold Him up to contempt (Heb 6:6; Catechism, 598). Throughout this Holy Week and on Good Friday, will your life cry out "Hosanna" or "Crucify Him"? Let Jesus be Lord of this week and of your life.
Prayer: Father, let Holy Week be done unto me according to Your word (Lk 1:38).
Promise: "I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations." —Is 42:6
Praise: Having confessed her sins and truly repented, Helen joyfully says, "Hosanna!"
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Job Performance For Jesus or our audio tape AV 43-3 or video V-43.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 14, 2007
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.