Jesus, as we enter Holy Week, I am moved with emotion that you were able to put one foot in front of the other as you entered the streets of Jerusalem. You knew that Jerusalem was a city that did not like prophets, much less the Messiah. Surely you understand you were in danger as you went there. Surely you knew your life was at risk. Why did you go?
Jerusalem was your end, but it was our beginning.
There are days that I pray with the Scripture stories about your time in Jerusalem leading up to your death, and I feel angry that you went there. Why didn’t you flee? Why didn’t you turn and run another way?
Praying with the Scriptures about you in front of Pontius Pilate I want to yell out to you: “Defend yourself! Speak up! Tell them who you are!” Why did you remain silent?
Jerusalem was your end, but it was our beginning.
This week, I pray that we remember what you did for us—that you intentionally put one foot in front of the other as you entered Jerusalem; that you dined with friends knowing that you would be betrayed; that you were mocked, insulted, slapped, spit on, and falsely accused. You could have chosen otherwise. You could have fled, but you stood, rooted in your Father, and went where you were called to go.
Jerusalem was your end, but it was our beginning.
May we remember what you did for us. May we remember that your death did not end in darkness and loss, but in the hope of the Resurrection. May we trust that God can use us to transform lives and the world the way you did for us. May we bring hope into the world the way you did.
How misunderstood it seems His sacrifice still is. Jesus was the obedient Son, and we saw what happened to Jonah when he tried to turn from God. How grateful I am that Jesus remembered, “thy will be done.” He comes…and I await…
Beautiful Reflection!
Conflicted. Confused. Searching. My Lenten Journey
The hatred in the world today and the terrorism helps us to understand the physical abuse our Savior took on our behalf.
?? A light came out of darkness, no light no hope had we, til Jesus came from heaven, our Light and Hope to be ?
Thank you Jesus. Your message is inspiring, thank you
Becky, this is a beautiful reflection that I will use for RCIA next week if you are ok with that.
What Becky has written above has really helped me on my journey. Thank you Becky. Have a very blessed Holy Week and Easter. May God bless you.
I want to bonk the apostles on the head for falling asleep, for denying Jesus, for acting like a bunch of dopes. But I realize that I am very like them in my bumbling humanity. And He always forgives me and gives me a second chance just like he did for the apostles.
m.