Into the Triduum...

As we wind down Lent and prepare to enter the Triduum, let us carry into this sacred space what we have offered during these 40 days in our Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting. The goal of Lent is to be made anew and rise on Easter Sunday as true disciples of Jesus Christ. How might we be more intentional in sustaining the good things that resulted from purging our lives of unnecessary habits and distractions, and repenting of all that pulls us away from our relationship with God?

What new habits from Lent are worthy of continuing the rest of the year?

On Palm Sunday, we received blessed palm branches and heard a Reading from Matthew's Gospel at the Procession, recalling Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem.

Most of us take our palm branches and drape them on a crucifix to display in our homes as a remembrance throughout the year. For the remainder of this week, I suggest praying with your palm branch. Hold it in your hands each day so you can feel the texture and picture yourself on the journey with Jesus.

Will you continue to hold it high and praise Hosanna during the difficult days of Jesus' Passion, with all its denial, trial, pain, and suffering?

Can you stand in the crowd of critics and nay-sayers and proudly wave the palm branch that identifies you as His follower?

I offer this guided meditation as a means of drawing yourself into the story of the Lord's Passion. Recall how it felt on the joyous day celebrating Passover when the majority were joyous and praising in public. Carry that spirit into the Triduum.

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Let us begin.

Posture is important in the experience of a Guided Meditation. I encourage you to sit in a quiet space. Assume a comfortable position, feet on the floor, hands in your lap.

Pay attention to your breathing and take a few deep breaths.

Breathe in slowly, then release the breath slowly.

Repeat with another slow breath in and out.

Picture yourself on the dry, hot, dusty road amid the crowd.

Hear them shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”

Everyone is gathered to watch and wait for Jesus. 

Some people are waiting up on the hill. They came mainly out of curiosity.

Others are there solely because a friend invited them. They don't expect anything extraordinary to happen.

You arrived early to get a spot at the front of the crowd. 

You’ve been waiting all day, handing out palms as new people arrive.

You glance around and are surprised by the number of people who turned out. It’s a record crowd, they say.

Your stomach grumbles and growls with hunger. 

You had eaten a hearty breakfast and packed a lunch, so you decide to stop and eat. But you spot a man on the side of the road who holds a sign that reads, Hungry. Need work. Please help. He is shouting that he hasn’t eaten in two days. 

You have never missed a single meal, much less two days’ worth, and your heart is stirred. You watch from a distance for a few minutes more, observing how no one seems to notice this poor man at all. Everyone just passes by as if he isn't even there.

You think to yourself that no child of God should be treated like that.

You stop and ask his name. The man is shocked when he realizes you are speaking to him. Tears fill his eyes as he says, “No one has ever asked my name. I am Joshua.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Joshua,” you say. When you look into his eyes, there is something intriguing and oddly familiar about them. 

Joshua tells you he has been on that road for months trying to find work, but no one wants to hire a man who looks different and isn’t very smart. He says he has lost his home and family, and doesn’t know what else to do.

You hand Joshua your lunch sack — a small gesture, really — but he lights up with joy as if it is the best gift he has ever received. You offer to say a quick prayer over him, and he accepts your invitation.

“Heavenly Father, watch over your beloved son, Joshua.

Restore his hope and open the door to a new, sustainable job for him.

Help Joshua know You, Lord, and trust that You will always provide for Him through the kindness of strangers and through his own service and labor.

Amen.”

You wish him a good day and continue down the road.

This Passover is different than any other. You can feel it in the air.

Your pace quickens and your heart beats faster in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. 

Someone hands you a palm brand, and you join the crowd in song. What a joyful morning! You feel light and peaceful.

Suddenly, the air becomes a little cooler, and the crowd gets a little louder with shouts of Hosanna! Hosanna! He is here! Our King is here! 

As Jesus approaches, many fall to their knees, overcome by the mere sight of Him. They say he is a great prophet, some say a king.

You begin to get nervous and worry that you aren’t worthy to stand so close to Him. Doubt enters your mind and heart. 

Maybe you should move up the hill and watch from above. 

Maybe coming here was a mistake. You should have gone to the shop instead, you think.

But it’s too late to escape. Jesus is right in front of you, and He is calling your name! You are puzzled. How does this man know your name? You question aloud. “But how...” Jesus says, "Come closer!" 

Hear Him say your name. 

Picture yourself moving closer to Jesus. 

Look into His eyes and see the immense love He has for you.

Jesus says, “Thank you for offering your lunch to Joshua.” You wonder how the prophet knows about that. As if hearing your thoughts, Jesus answers, “When you did it for Joshua, you did it for me.” Then you recognize His eyes are the same as Joshua’s.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus says. “Come, sit with me and rest a while.” Then Jesus continues down the road. 

You stand there stunned as the crowd pushes past you to keep up with Jesus. You shake your head and tell yourself you can’t follow Jesus. You have to get back to work. You have responsibilities, and you need to get something to eat. Besides, with all of those people, Jesus will be too busy to sit with you.

Despite all the excuses and justifications you keep telling yourself, something in you urges you to just go. See what happens.

By the time you make it all the way to the city center, it is getting dark. The celebrations are in high gear. Your head aches, you are tired, and you feel a bit weak due to lack of food and water. There is no way you will be able to get near Jesus. It’s just too crowded. You decide to turn around and go home. 

Much to your surprise, as you leave the festival area, you find Jesus sitting alone under a tree. He motions, inviting you to sit with Him. “Come, rest your weary body,” Jesus says. He offers you a drink of cold water and you see He has prepared a meal for you. “Take, eat, enjoy,” He says. 

The two of you sit in silence. It’s peaceful, not awkward. You realize how seldom you simply sit in the silence and stillness these days. The space between you and Jesus is filled with Love. You actually feel held and supported, though He’s not even touching you.

Embrace this feeling for a moment so that you can carry it with you. Note the sweet scent in the air, the calmness of being with Jesus. Your heartbeat, quietly keeping tempo with His. 

There is peace in your soul.

You were meant to be here all along.

Take a deep breath in… slowly breathe out.

Again, deep inhale…slow exhale.

When you are ready, open your eyes. 

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Happy Holy Week!

Happy Triduum!

Happy Easter to you all!