will holy week be holy?
"Morning after morning He opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back." —Isaiah 50:4-5
We become holy by God's grace. To be holy as He is holy in every aspect of our conduct is a gift from God (1 Pt 1:15-16). However, we must decide to accept this gift. We choose the grace of holiness by obeying the Lord, especially by taking up our daily crosses. If we accept the gift of holiness, we will see God (Heb 12:14) and forever proclaim: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty" (Rv 4:8).
This is Holy Week. It is a week when the Lord will grace us exceptionally to grow in holiness. Yet Holy Week may not be that special time of holiness unless we decide to carry the cross of being persecuted. This week the Lord may call us to give our backs to those who beat us and our cheeks to those who pluck our beards (Is 50:6). Holy Week may be a time to turn the other cheek (Mt 5:39) and not shield our faces "from buffets and spitting" (Is 50:6). Holy Week is prime time to take up the cross of reconciliation and to reach out to the Judases in our lives who have persecuted and betrayed us (see Jn 13:26; Mt 26:24-25).
Will Holy Week be holy? Will we embrace the cross of suffering persecution and loving persecutors?
Prayer: Father, on this last full day of Lent, give me such a desire for holiness that I will want to die for love of You.
Promise: "Zeal for Your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme You fall upon me." —Ps 69:10
Praise: Jessica forgave her father, who had been abusive to her, as well as her mother, who had allowed it.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Redemptive Suffering on audio AV 75-1 or video V-75.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, October 17, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2002