Beloved in Christ,
Glory to Him forever!
Holy Week; the Week of Salvation has begun
The Lord Jesus encourages us: “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face tribulation. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” John 16:33
As Catholic Christians, we should remind ourselves that in the world we will always have tribulation.
If we are really Catholic we do not subscribe to the ideas that God is Santa Claus (If we are good we get what we want) or Cuddle me Jesus. Our God is a God of strength, of power and of justice. Unlike some Christians we are expected to take up our cross each day and sometimes suffer because of it. The Catholic faith is not about God doing what we want but about us doing what God wants. To believe otherwise is another Gospel: a false one. It is not easy to be a true Christian, remember, we follow and love a crucified God. Now is a time to get the idea out of our heads that God serves us; instead remember we serve God.
But as the Lord says, “Take courage, I have overcome the world.” Ultimately God is in charge and God knows what He is doing even if we don’t. We can either trust in him, trust in our leaders or trust in ourselves. The second and third options have often proven very unreliable.
I stand with Christ, I stand on his promises, I trust in him, he is my God. I invite you to do the same.
Say, everyday and often, “Lord Jesus, I trust in you.” Pray this short prayer when you are overwhelmed, fearful, going nuts being cooped up, depressed or simply say it out of love.
We pray that our Lord, the Physician and Healer of our souls and bodies, will look down on our world with mercy and compassion and speedily deliver us from this pestilence.
Prepare for the Sacred Triduum (Trid yew um), meaning “The Three Days” when the Lord suffered, died and rose.
Build a home altar. Use a table or the like in your living room, make it prominent. Cover it with a cloth. Place a crucifix, picture of the Lord and his mother on the table. If you have a crucifix or cross place this on the table. Add a candle (that is only lit when you are praying before the altar). Place a Bible or book of Mass readings on the table (and READ it). If you have a book of prayers add that to the altar.
Gather before the altar and pray as a family, just do it! No excuses. If your faith or practice of it is weak, now is the time to make it strong by word and actions.
Readings for each day of Holy Week can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040520.cfm
To prepare for the Sacred Triduum buy or find a large candle. This you will use for Holy Saturday.
We do the same thing in the church at the beginning of the Easter Vigil
Use markers or paint (in any colors) to inscribe it with the following symbols:
A large cross, the cross is the instrument of our salvation
an Alpha at the top of the cross, Christ is the beginning of all things
an Omega at the bottom, Christ is the end of all things
five dots at the top, bottom and arms of the cross, one where the arms come together
These symbolize Christ’s five wounds; hands, feet and side
and the year in the corners of the cross, a reminder that salvation, that is union with God, comes in this time and place
The prayer to bless the candle which is used on Holy Saturday will follow later in the week
Like this:
With love and prayers for you, I am
your Father in God,
Phil
