Holy Week

For some reason, this year, I am more aware of the journey into Holy Week than other years past. Maybe because I came back from a spiritual formation retreat where we focused on the resurrection of Lazarus which happens right before Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In fact, the Saturday before Palm Sunday is known as Lazarus Saturday. Spending three days looking into this story gave me a whole different perspective into this story.

Mary and Martha write to Jesus, calling Lazarus "the one you love." I thought that was such a powerful statement because so much of our identity is in our name and by what we are called. It made me want to be known as the one Jesus loves. Do I live my life in such a way that reflects the power of having such a strong relationship with Jesus that people identify me as the one whom he loves? Wow.

One of the questions from this week was, "How do you know God loves you?" It is a question that really makes you stop and think. For many people, it was easy for us to see how God loves other people and works in their lives, but they struggle seeing that for themselves. As we begin the journey into Holy Week, just like Jesus began the journey into Jerusalem on a colt, I think we need to prepare to see Jesus' actions this week as acts of love. Holy Week is an emotional week and a time of reflection as we prepare for the journey to the cross and the resurrection three days later. As we reflect and prepare, it is important to keep love at the forefront of everything.

So as I begin my personal journey into Holy Week being more aware, I am focusing on God's love through Jesus through each step this week. It is a humbling reminder of what a powerful and mighty God we serve.