Journeying Through Holy Week: Embracing Christ's Love
Summary
As we gather to enter into Holy Week, we are invited to journey deeply into the heart of Jesus, reflecting on the profound events that unfolded over 2,000 years ago. This week is not merely a historical commemoration but a living encounter with the divine mysteries that continue to shape our lives today. Holy Week, particularly the Triduum, is set apart as the holiest time of the year, inviting us to walk with Jesus through his final days, understanding his actions and words with fresh eyes and open hearts.
We begin by reflecting on the events of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. On Monday, we witness Mary of Bethany's extravagant act of love as she anoints Jesus with costly perfume, symbolizing the totality of self-giving that Jesus desires from us. This act foreshadows Jesus' burial and challenges us to offer our whole selves to God, trusting that He will return our love abundantly. On Tuesday, Jesus curses the fig tree, a symbolic act representing the curse of sin brought into the world by Adam and Eve. This act points to the new tree of life—the cross—where Jesus will offer himself for our salvation. Wednesday, known as Spy Wednesday, marks Judas' betrayal, echoing the story of Joseph sold into slavery, yet ultimately pointing to Jesus as the one who will feed the world with the bread of life.
As we move into Holy Thursday, we delve into the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist, transforming the Passover meal into a new covenant of love. Jesus, the new Passover lamb, offers his body and blood, leading us from the slavery of sin to the promised land of eternal life. The washing of the disciples' feet exemplifies the self-sacrificial love that Jesus commands us to emulate. This act of humility and service is a profound reminder of the new commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us.
Finally, we accompany Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he begins his passion. The garden, rich with olive trees, symbolizes the new tree of life, and Jesus' prayerful agony foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice he will make on the cross. As we enter into this sacred time, may we open our hearts to the graces of Holy Week, allowing the mysteries of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection to transform us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Extravagant Love and Self-Giving: Mary of Bethany's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume symbolizes the total self-giving that Jesus desires from us. This act challenges us to offer our whole selves to God, trusting that He will return our love abundantly. In giving all to Jesus, we receive more than we can fathom, as His love is boundless and transformative. [05:00]
2. The New Tree of Life: Jesus' cursing of the fig tree symbolizes the curse of sin brought into the world by Adam and Eve. This act points to the new tree of life—the cross—where Jesus will offer himself for our salvation. The cross becomes the source of life and healing, inviting us to partake in the Eucharist, the fruit of this new tree. [11:53]
3. The New Passover Lamb: At the Last Supper, Jesus transforms the Passover meal into a new covenant of love, offering his body and blood as the new Passover lamb. This act leads us from the slavery of sin to the promised land of eternal life, inviting us to partake in the Eucharist as a living encounter with Christ. [31:22]
4. Self-Sacrificial Love: The washing of the disciples' feet exemplifies the self-sacrificial love that Jesus commands us to emulate. This act of humility and service is a profound reminder of the new commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us, calling us to a life of service and compassion. [27:53]
5. The Garden of Gethsemane: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus begins his passion, symbolizing the new tree of life amidst the olive trees. His prayerful agony foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice he will make on the cross, inviting us to enter into the mystery of his suffering and to find strength in his example of obedience and love. [39:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:30] - Purpose of Holy Week
- [03:00] - Monday: Anointing at Bethany
- [05:00] - Tuesday: Cursing the Fig Tree
- [07:30] - Cleansing of the Temple
- [11:53] - Prophecy of Isaiah
- [14:00] - Spy Wednesday: Judas' Betrayal
- [18:01] - Preparation for the Last Supper
- [23:09] - The Last Supper: Institution of the Eucharist
- [27:53] - Washing of the Disciples' Feet
- [31:22] - Jesus as the New Passover Lamb
- [35:41] - Singing the Psalms
- [39:47] - Garden of Gethsemane
- [44:31] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Holy Week Reflections
#### Bible Reading
1. John 13:1-17 - Jesus washes the disciples' feet.
2. Matthew 26:26-29 - The Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.
3. Mark 11:12-14, 20-21 - Jesus curses the fig tree.
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus with costly perfume, and how did it foreshadow future events? [03:00]
2. How does Jesus' act of cursing the fig tree relate to the story of Adam and Eve and the concept of sin? [07:30]
3. What actions did Jesus take during the Last Supper to establish a new covenant with his disciples? [23:09]
4. How did Jesus demonstrate self-sacrificial love through the washing of the disciples' feet? [27:53]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does Mary of Bethany's act of anointing Jesus challenge believers to offer their whole selves to God? [03:00]
2. How does the symbolism of the fig tree and the cross as the new tree of life deepen our understanding of Jesus' mission? [07:30]
3. What does the transformation of the Passover meal into the Eucharist signify about Jesus' role as the new Passover lamb? [31:22]
4. How does the washing of the disciples' feet serve as a model for Christian service and humility? [27:53]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you have given extravagantly, like Mary of Bethany. How did it impact your relationship with God? [03:00]
2. Consider the "fig trees" in your life that may not be bearing fruit. What steps can you take to address these areas and align them with God's will? [07:30]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of self-sacrificial love in your daily interactions, following Jesus' example of washing the disciples' feet? [27:53]
4. In what ways can you participate more fully in the Eucharist as a living encounter with Christ, recognizing it as a source of life and healing? [31:22]
5. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, seeking strength for his upcoming sacrifice. How can you cultivate a deeper prayer life to find strength in challenging times? [39:47]
6. Identify a specific act of service you can perform this week to emulate Jesus' humility and love. How will you ensure it is done with a genuine heart? [27:53]
7. Reflect on the new commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us. What practical steps can you take to live out this commandment in your community? [27:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Extravagant Love and Self-Giving
Mary of Bethany's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume is a profound symbol of total self-giving. This act challenges us to offer our whole selves to God, trusting that He will return our love abundantly. In giving all to Jesus, we receive more than we can fathom, as His love is boundless and transformative. Mary's gesture foreshadows Jesus' burial and invites us to reflect on the depth of love and devotion we are called to embody. Her act of love is not just a historical event but a living invitation to surrender our lives to God, trusting in His promise of abundant love and grace. [05:00]
"She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: The New Tree of Life
Jesus' cursing of the fig tree symbolizes the curse of sin brought into the world by Adam and Eve. This act points to the new tree of life—the cross—where Jesus will offer himself for our salvation. The cross becomes the source of life and healing, inviting us to partake in the Eucharist, the fruit of this new tree. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the transformative power of the cross and the invitation to live a life rooted in the grace and redemption it offers. The fig tree's barrenness contrasts with the life-giving power of the cross, urging us to seek spiritual fruitfulness in our own lives. [11:53]
"And he said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it. And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots." (Mark 11:14, 20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate spiritual fruitfulness in your life, ensuring that you are not spiritually barren like the fig tree?
Day 3: The New Passover Lamb
At the Last Supper, Jesus transforms the Passover meal into a new covenant of love, offering his body and blood as the new Passover lamb. This act leads us from the slavery of sin to the promised land of eternal life, inviting us to partake in the Eucharist as a living encounter with Christ. The Last Supper is not just a historical event but a continual invitation to experience the depth of Jesus' love and sacrifice. As we partake in the Eucharist, we are reminded of the new covenant and the promise of eternal life that Jesus offers through His sacrifice. [31:22]
"For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." (Luke 22:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach the Eucharist with a renewed sense of gratitude and reverence, recognizing it as a living encounter with Christ?
Day 4: Self-Sacrificial Love
The washing of the disciples' feet exemplifies the self-sacrificial love that Jesus commands us to emulate. This act of humility and service is a profound reminder of the new commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us, calling us to a life of service and compassion. Jesus' act of washing the feet of His disciples is a powerful demonstration of servant leadership and a call to embody humility in our interactions with others. It challenges us to consider how we can serve those around us with the same love and humility that Jesus demonstrated. [27:53]
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today in a way that reflects the humility and love of Jesus?
Day 5: The Garden of Gethsemane
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus begins his passion, symbolizing the new tree of life amidst the olive trees. His prayerful agony foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice he will make on the cross, inviting us to enter into the mystery of his suffering and to find strength in his example of obedience and love. The garden is a place of deep prayer and surrender, where Jesus models for us the importance of seeking God's will even in the face of immense suffering. As we reflect on this moment, we are invited to find strength and courage in Jesus' example, trusting in God's plan for our lives. [39:47]
"And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" (Mark 14:35-36, ESV)
Reflection: In times of personal struggle or suffering, how can you follow Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane by seeking God's will and finding strength in His presence?
Quotes
The whole purpose of these three days are to prepare us for the big three days, called the Holy Triduum, which just is the Latin word for three days. And it's the holiest three days of the year. It's the reason why we call it Holy Week. That word holy itself comes from to be set apart, right? And so this week is set apart by God for something that we know happened 2,000 years ago that is very special, but also every year for us to enter back into it. So not to just see it as something that happened some many thousands of years ago in the past, but it's something that the Lord wants to bring us into in this moment, to really walk through what was Jesus doing, right? [00:00:30] (48 seconds)
And so when we watch what Jesus is doing and what he permits throughout these days, it's going to be helpful for us to enter into what he desires to do in our heart. So the thing that we can learn today from Mary is just that we can give all to Jesus, right? Give our whole heart to him. And that's what he desires from us, because he's always going to give us more in return than we can even fathom, right, when we pour out our heart, our lives to him. So on that Monday, after that Monday, they head back into Jerusalem. [00:03:54] (39 seconds)
And so what's Jesus saying as he's entering into the holy week of the year to save us from sin? He's cursing the thing that brought sin into the world, right? That tree that was grasped after by Adam and Eve that brought sin into the world that brought him to this week for you and me. He curses so that it will no longer have power. There's going to be a new tree, right? The tree of the cross that is going to be where we get and eat the fruit of that tree, right? Which will be the Eucharist. All of this is starting to gather force for Jesus as he goes through and he does this very unusual thing, but very meaningful and intentional thing for him. [00:06:33] (44 seconds)
And so there would have been a lot of animals around out in the court of the Gentiles. There would have been a lot of those changing the different monies as well. So all of it was very practical. But the place that they decided to do it was where the Gentiles who feared God were supposed to be able to pray. It would be like you and I trying to go and pray in Walmart, right? It's not going to work. It's going to be crazy. Too much noise. Too many, well, in this case, animals making noises and things. So Jesus is driving out this idea of, like, you've turned this place into a marketplace. And I have a desire for all peoples. [00:09:25] (41 seconds)
And so on John 13, it says, Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. And during supper, when the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and wiped them with the towel that was tied around him. [00:24:00] (42 seconds)
And so Jesus does this because he's pointing to them what they should do as well because that's what he tells them. You should do this for one another. It's this self-sacrificial love. It's not this, because not too far, not too long after this, they start arguing about who's the greatest among them, right? It's like, okay, they're still not getting it. It'd be a little bit frustrating with Jesus, you know? But then also, too, I start to pray about that and I'm like, oh, I'd do the same thing, right? I'm glad Jesus doesn't get frustrated with me either, right? He's very gentle and merciful. [00:26:06] (37 seconds)
And so Jesus says to him, when he had washed his feet and taken his garments and resumed his place, he said to them, do you know what I have done to you? You call me teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. [00:27:01] (34 seconds)
And so Jesus takes this moment to change it. And so his disciples would have been very well aware of what was happening in that moment because they had been to Passovers since they were old enough to go. I think it was like 12 years old. Male had to go to the Passover, had to go to Jerusalem for the Passover at that point every year. And so they're like, huh, he's talking about something new. Well, Jesus is the new Exodus. He's the new Moses leading a new Exodus, not from slavery in Egypt, but from slavery to sin. And not just to the promised land here on earth, but the promised land of heaven. [00:32:23] (42 seconds)
And so this is why he takes and begins to talk about his flesh as the Passover lamb and as the bread of affliction from Exodus. They would have understood himself as identifying himself as the new Passover lamb, as the true lamb who will offer his flesh and blood to eat. If he is the lamb, the bread is really his flesh and the wine is his blood. So it's fascinating. He takes this and they begin to get it. And of course, we know Jesus has to do this the night before on the Passover feast because on Friday, right, he will offer that sacrifice in which he was pointing to that night. [00:32:54] (42 seconds)
And so then it says they go out and they sing a song, right. So when the Jewish people sing songs, they're called the psalms, right. They're the things we sing every Sunday and we read every day, one of the psalms. So they would have sang Psalm 116 through 118, on their way out to the Garden of Gethsemane. That's just what everyone's saying after the Passover meal. Now when you go to read those, they're very fascinating because it says, little things that it says, it says, what shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? What are all his gifts to me? What should I give to the Lord? [00:34:25] (43 seconds)
And in the Jewish tradition, as we had the fig tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that was the downfall of Adam and Eve by eating that fruit. The other tree of life was considered to be an olive tree in Jewish tradition. And so it's not, it's not, it's very easy to see why Jesus would go to begin his passion in the Garden of Olives, right, in the Garden of Olive Trees. So in this moment, he's already pointing to the new tree of life. [00:40:18] (36 seconds)
And so what is this new tree of life? The oil of mercy, the oil of healing, oil of salvation will flow from the wood of the cross. He will be crushed for our sins and the blood and the oil will flow. And so it'd be really cool if the church had a mass where we blessed all these different oils, right? Olive oil? You guys ever heard of that mass? Yeah, it's on Holy Thursday, right? It's in the morning on Holy Thursday. It's called the Chrism Mass. [00:41:31] (29 seconds)
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