It is Holy Week in the long-awaited year of the Great Jubilee, but we may feel neither great nor jubilant. Some of us may have messed up our lives even worse this Lent, and now it seems to be too late. We feel like both the betrayed Jesus and the betrayer Judas (see Jn 13:20ff). Our lives, marriages, families, and work seem to be unraveling. We think we have "toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent" our strength (Is 49:4).

However, no matter how bad you feel or how bad you are, there is hope. The name of our hope is Jesus. He has shed His blood and died to take away our sins. Jesus forgives and is all-merciful. Jesus saves. His name means: "Yahweh saves." Jesus promises: "I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth" (Is 49:6).

Now, immediately, "stop everything." Stop the sin, denial, self-hatred, self-pity, self-destruction, despair, confusion, isolation, etc. By God's grace, come to Jesus, "all you who are weary and find life burdensome" (Mt 11:28). Give your life — even as it is — totally to Jesus forever. Accept Jesus as your Savior, Lord, and God.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 4, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 1999