Will You Lay Down Your Life For Me?

The holiest week of the year has begun. As I pray Holy Week,     I try to envision myself there.

• At the Last Supper, observing the dialogue between Jesus and his apostles.  I let myself sit there with them.                     I take Jesus' words to heart.
  • In the Garden, I am worried by the deep anguish I see on Jesus' face.   I feel tension in the air.   I realize that the apostles do not realize what he is saying.  They have fallen asleep.  I stay awake worried about what is to come.   I want to wake them, but it all happens so very fast.   
  •  I see the guards approach.
• When Jesus is arrested, I am terrified that I may be taken too.  There is so much going on so quickly.   Judas looks peaceful, as if he does not realize how Jesus will be treated.   The others are shocked out of their sleep and frightened.   They seem confused.  They seem as if they "Never got the memo" of Jesus' Passion, although so many times before, he had told them it was going to come.   Everyone runs out of the Garden and I am left alone.   I pray.
• When Jesus is dragged before Pilate and Herod and Pilate again, I stand in the corner to hear the accusations.   It is much different for me to be there, than to simply read the words from Sacred Scripture.   I hear the hate in some voices and the ridicule in others'.  I hear the slap on Jesus' face.  I feel as if they have pierced me through when I see
• how they treat him. 
• The March to Calvary is more than any movie can ever depict.   I shield my eyes from the sight of Jesus so broken and shredded from the too-many lashes of the scourging.   I see his eyes, still filled with love.  I see how he is weakening step-by-step.  I see the cruelty of some of the soldiers and some of the people.   I also see the tears and reluctance of some soldiers to torture Jesus.  I see Mary.  I see Jesus and Mary communicate through the love expressed in their eyes.  I can feel the support that each gives the other at this time, as if each of them are saying, "I am with you through all of this."
• We reach the top of Calvary and the cruel torture continues.

Through the Cross and Death
to Resurrection and Glory!