By Pat Haggerty

This is considered the holiest of weeks for Christians.  How often have you heard that already?  What does this week really mean for us?  How can we give it meaning?  I think we need to give it value through our daily actions and by wrapping ourselves in the stillness of the week.

When I was a child, probably around ten years old, I can remember trying to observe silence on Good Friday afternoon.  That is what the nuns had told us to do, so I did it---or, at least, I tried.  In my own way, I tried to give meaning to that Good Friday afternoon.  I failed miserably, if I remember.  I didn’t talk; but I wrote notes to my friend who lived next door, and I used sign language with my brothers.  I just didn’t get it!

This Good Friday I will not be keeping silence from noon to three.  How can I with four grandchildren to take care of that day?  They won’t understand!  However, I will wrap myself in the stillness of that day and try to keep an internal monitor on my actions.  Whatever is going on around me will be affected by my placing myself on the journey with the Lord.  If I am lucky, I may be able to get to the evening service at our church.

What about those who cannot attend services?  I am thinking, in particular, of one of the women I bring the Eucharistic to each week.  I am sure she would love to attend a Good Friday service, but it is out of the question for her.  I know, though, that she is walking this Holy Week journey with the Lord just as much as those who might be attending the services.  This courageous woman has her own cross to carry, and she does so with dignity and love.  The Lord is by her side helping her with her cross.  He is her own Simon of Cyrene.

So, as you walk the journey this week, think of those who are really walking it.  Join in prayer with those who are ill, who are shut-ins, who are isolated.  Carry them in your heart as you come closer to the day of Resurrection.  May we all exult on Sunday as we join in the psalm, singing, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” (Ps. 118)