As Holy Week unfolds, we find ourselves nearing the end of a long, spiritual journey—forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent, with all its challenges and quiet invitations to conversion, has been a time of inner work, often hidden and humbling. And now, we stand on the threshold of the most sacred days in our Christian calendar: the Paschal Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—culminating in the joy of Easter.
It’s tempting to see this final stretch as a winding down, especially after weeks of intentional effort. But Holy Week isn’t the time to ease off the gas—it’s a time to press in. These last days are not just a conclusion, but a culmination. They hold the heart of our faith and offer us the chance to draw even closer to Christ, who gave everything out of love.
To finish Lent faithfully means not just completing a set of resolutions or spiritual disciplines, but entering more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It means keeping our hearts open and engaged, even when we're tired. It means leaning into the liturgies of these sacred days—not as passive observers, but as willing participants.
On Holy Thursday, we recall the Last Supper and Jesus’ example of servant leadership. The washing of feet reminds us that true greatness lies in humility and love. How can we embody this in our lives? Perhaps by forgiving someone, offering a small sacrifice, or choosing to love when it’s inconvenient.
Good Friday invites us to stand at the foot of the Cross, not with despair, but with reverent hope. It is a somber, powerful moment to reflect on the weight of sin and the immensity of God’s mercy. Attending the liturgy of the Passion, venerating the Cross, or simply spending time in silence before it—these actions draw us into the heart of God’s love. They remind us that suffering is not the end of the story.
Holy Saturday is a quiet, waiting day. It teaches us patience and trust in God’s promises. In that silence, we prepare our hearts for the joy of the Resurrection. It's a good time to reflect: How have I changed this Lent? What has God revealed to me? Where is He inviting me to live differently?
And then comes Easter—the radiant light that shatters the darkness. But that light shines more brightly for those who have walked the full path. The deeper we go into the Triduum, the more fully we can experience the joy of the Resurrection.
So in these final days, stay the course. Show up in prayer, even if it’s just a few quiet minutes. Be present at the liturgies, even if you're weary. Let the mystery of Christ’s love pull you deeper. Lent is not just ending—it’s reaching its fulfillment. And God is not finished with us yet.
