As we approach Holy Week just days away for us to ponder

As we approach Holy Week just days away

Have any of us given a thought to what we expect from these three days that hold the Truths of Christ’s Passion?  There is more than feet washing, the trial of Jesus before Pilate and then Herod, and the glory of Easter morning that Mary was the first to see him, the Risen Christ.  These become the reality of the Easter Triduum that holds all of our belief in God’s Love for us.

We must go back to what Paul describes as Love, detailing the Theological Virtues.  (1  Cor 12:13).  It becomes a deep-rooted statement when these Virtues enter our concerns regarding how we have looked upon these virtues and the attention each one receives for you and me.

Faith, the attribute that got a lot of attention from Jesus as he moved around in his mission to heal the blocked minds of people with doubt.  

And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well ;go in peace.’  (Lk 8: 48).

And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight, your faith has made you well.”  (Lk 18: 42).

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him,”  (Heb 11: 6).  

All of us have heard about the homes Jesus is preparing for us when we enter into our eternal destination.  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”  (Jn 14: 3).  This promise develops a hope that we do not see right now, but our hope of a reality of future peace remains a thought Jesus planted in our hearts.

But the third Theological Virtue, Love, not the last in importance but the most efficacious teaching from Christ himself.   Where did this originate and keep on tugging at the heartstrings of our hearts?  (1 Cor 13: 13).  

When The Trinity communicated within themselves and agreed, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”  (Gn 1: 26).  The very creation of human beings who knowingly came with free will and therefore would reject his Creator because of sin, God granted him  everlasting life through his love for man.  

Since the Creator already planned to forgive man’s insolence he established the Incarnation of himself to show his love for the weakness of man.  (Lk 1: 26 - 38).

Finally, as Jesus hung on the Cross at Calvary, fulfilling the promise of God to forgive man;s sinfulness, Jesus said," It is finished.”  The payment for sin was now history and there could no longer be a negative approach to Love.  (Jn 19: 30).  

This is the theme of Lent, and the resurrection as Christ completes this Easter Triduum.  This is the Virtue of Love that is God’s gift to us.

Ralph B. Hathaway