Traditionally the liturgy of Holy Week begins outside the parish church with the blessing of palms. The subsequent procession into church, during this Year of Mercy, takes on an added significance. As we process into the church, we become one with Christ’s death and Resurrection. Throughout the week we pass into the events that opened the door to the Father’s mercy.
The prophet Isaiah prefigures the profound humility with which Jesus approached this week: “Each morning he wakens me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part I made no resistance, neither did I turn away.”
It is not sufficient simply to recall the events celebrated during this week. We must listen to these events, listen to what they are saying about the lives we live and our need to embrace the Father’s mercy.
As Christ did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself, so must we abandon pride’s self-deception. Quite literally, we must die to self that we might be raised up in Christ.
St Luke’s account of the Passion stresses this abandonment to the Father’s will from the outset. Overwhelmed with sadness and distress, Jesus did not hesitate to entrust himself to the Father. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.” Such was the faith that transformed Christ’s subsequent suffering and death. As the veil of the temple, screening God’s presence, was torn asunder at the moment of his death, so, by that same death, are we embraced by the Father’s mercy.
St Luke highlights the mercy that flowed from Jesus throughout his passion. Jesus refused to be mastered by the violence shown to him. Instead, he made it the occasion of mercy and forgiveness, reminding his disciples that he was among them as one who serves.
To the women who lamented his approaching death he showed compassion and understanding. To the soldiers who nailed him to the cross he spoke words of mercy: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke alone records Christ’s final encounter with a sinner at the very moment of his death. The prayer of the good thief has become the prayer of sinners in every generation. “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied: “Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This prayer is our door to the Father’s mercy.
This article first appeared in the March 18 2016 issue of The Catholic Herald. To download the entire issue for free with our new app, go here
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