This is Holy Week, the most sacred week on the Christian calendar. Each day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the last days of Jesus’ earthly life. 

Holy Week gives us a powerful opportunity to reflect on what Jesus ‘sacrifice means for each of us, and for all of us.

In the days prior to Holy Week, the Lord spoke candidly to His disciples about His impending death and the suffering He would endure that would precede His death. 

He also told them, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Mark 8:35 In other words, The Message version says, “Anyone who intends to come with me, has to let Me lead. You are not in the driver’s seat, I AM. 

Don’t run from suffering. Embrace it. Follow Me and I will show you how…” 

Jesus told His followers three times prior to His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, that He would be killed. So, why would His entrance into Jerusalem be called Triumphant?

He enters the city in the midst of adulation, yet within days the same people who shouted in adoration, would cry out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Can we allow ourselves to look at the events of Holy Week through the eyes of the people who were there? The bystanders in the crowds and the followers of Jesus Christ? 

Can you imagine what was happening in the Heart, Mind, and Spirit of our Lord Himself?

Ignatian Spirituality invites us to place ourselves as individuals in the Gospel stories. We are invited to imagine ourselves as bystanders or as significant characters in each story so that we can participate in and experience the impact of the event on us personally.

As you read Mark 11:1-10, imagine that you are there. See yourself as one of Jesus’ followers. Are you one of the two who were sent? Or are you one of those who were left behind with Jesus? What was going through your mind, either as you went or as you waited with Jesus? Were you excited, saddened, or confused?

Or, were you one of those who prepared the colt for the Master? What does this event mean to you?

What if you are in the crowd of people who are laying down your cloaks, palm leaves, and branches on the ground before Jesus? What do you have in mind when you shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord? Hosanna in the Highest!”? What do you mean by shouting, “Save us now!”? What do you cry out to be saved from?

What do you see Jesus doing as He rides on that colt? What is His expression? 

What stirs within you when you discover Him gazing at you? 

As the week progresses, the Jewish people realize that Jesus is not overthrowing the Romans in the way they expected. He has not gathered an army to fight against the occupying oppressors of His people. He has not recruited a physical army, yet He is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Lord of Hosts!  

You notice Jesus is teaching and preaching God’s Kingdom and not a kingdom focused on human power and might. He is preaching about the signs of the times and about being prepared, because the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Jesus is holding a mirror in front of each of us. 

As He steadfastly moves towards the Cross.

He warns us to pay attention to the signs of the times. 

He exhorts us to stay focused and faithful, with our hearts fixed on Jesus. 

He presses on because of His Love for us.

Even when He is arrested. And mocked. Tortured. Spat upon. 

Even when He is denied and abandoned by His closest disciples.

Even as the others ran and hid in fear.

He said not a word. 

He said and did volumes in His 33 years of humanity. Were we listening? Are we listening?

Do we truly see?

As you ponder the events of that Holy Week centuries ago, imagine what it must have been like to have been there. 

Because even if it happened today, Jesus would have triumphantly ridden into Jerusalem. 

He would have triumphantly ridden into Jerusalem, despite what waited for Him there.

Jesus would have triumphantly ridden into Jerusalem because His gaze was upon you. 

And if it was for only you, He would have gone to the cross. And died. And rose again.

Jesus triumphed over sin and death. The glorious paradox of the Kingdom of God. 

Transforming suffering and death into Victory and Eternal Life.

For you.