LIVING OUT {HOLY WEEK}

Do you feel like you blinked, and now Holy Week is here? Where has Lent gone? Don't get me wrong, there were definitely weeks when my craving for chocolate and metabolizing vast amounts of sugar made Easter Sunday feel sooooo far away, but somehow I feel like Holy Week always creeps up on me. When I reach this point in Lent, I have to ask myself the hard questions: Am I different from 40 days earlier? Do I feel closer to Christ after keeping my Lenten promise? Is my heart prepared to enter into the Holy Triduum?

Holy Week is the most important week in our Church, and I feel like it is important that we make an effort to make it very different from the other 51 weeks in the year. During this week, we have the opportunity to walk alongside Jesus through his journey. Beginning at the Last Supper through His walk to Calvary leading to His death, and ending with His glorious Resurrection.

Below are 5 tips to make your Holy Week more meaningful:

| Prayer |

-Turn off the music in your car on the way to work/school and start your drive with a prayer

-On your way home from work/school, stop at a Church for 5 or 10 minutes and spend some quiet time with God.

-Pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary

-Read the Passion of Jesus in the Gospels

| Make Additional Sacrifices |

-Add something to your Lenten promise to make this week stand out

-Try to do a random act of kindness each day this week 

| Turn off the Television |

-Casey & I will be turning off the TV from Holy Thursday evening until Easter morning. We will spend this time instead attending the Holy Triduum liturgies or in personal prayer.

| Confession |

-Want to attend Easter Sunday with a pure heart? Our church has the beautiful sacrament of reconciliation where God's love and mercy awaits you. What are you waiting for?

| Forgive |

-One of the most profound things Jesus said on the cross was, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Each time we pray the "Our Father" we say, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." If we want/expect/ hope for God's forgiveness of our sins, we must give that same gift to others who have wronged us. Who do you need to forgive?

Don't let this week be just like the rest. Make it different! I'll be praying for you!