The overlooked days of Holy Week

When we consider Holy Week, the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil and the Easter Sunday rightly demand our attention and focus. But what of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week? While they are not of the same importance and magnitude of the above-mentioned celebrations, they are of significance as they help us consider those days Jesus was in Jerusalem after his triumphant entry into the Holy City and before the passion that followed the Last Supper.

The gospel reading for the Mass of each of these days gives us some points for meditation. Monday’s gospel speaks of the woman who anoints the feet of Jesus for his burial and the plan of betrayal Judas Iscariot begins to put into motion. We might consider in what ways we seek to offer Jesus the perfume of our love, good deeds and sacrifices and the extent to which we must be on guard in how we too can betray our Lord.

Tuesday’s gospel brings us some of the dialogue that took place at the Last Supper, where we learn how Jesus knew Judas would betray him and allows him to go into the dark of night to carry out his plan. We might consider how too Our Lord offers us that freedom to choose to follow him or betray him through the darkness of sin and self-centredness.
Wednesday’s gospel tells us of the 30 silver pieces Judas will receive for betraying the Son of Man and the chilling words Jesus speaks at the Last Supper of the severe condemnation that will come down on the one who betrays him. We might consider how we too can receive such condemnation as well if we are unwilling to repent of our sins and seek the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness.

These three gospels are difficult to read but necessary for us to consider. Might we not be afraid to read each of them and ask to what extend they apply to our own relationship with Christ and His Church.