Holy Week; a divine paradox of attendance and attention.

In the same way we would put aside our personal cares and needs to attend to a loved one who is sick or dying; the services of Holy Week offers us those moments, to consider and act upon, what really matters. Regardless if it is at the bedside of someone who is sick, or in front of the Icon of the Bridegroom, we are called to see that what really matters is love. 

This love is expressed over and over again in the services of Holy Week, yet it is done in a manner that is somewhat of a paradox. While it might seem that we are the healthy and living one’s that out of love, attend to the broken and mocked Lord upon the Cross (in the same way we would visit a loved one at a hospital or hospice); it is actually humanity; each of us, that the Lord attends to out of love. 

We are the sick and dying ones whom He loves; and in this love, experiences it by submitting to it, that He might save us from it “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). “who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant (slave), and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philp 2:6-8)

Indeed our attention, and participation in the services of Holy Week,have little to do with what we have to offer in the way of tears, sorrow, and compunction, as we behold the evil and injustice suffered by Jesus. Rather it has everything to do with what the Lord is doing for us; as he beholds the evil and injustice we suffer. It is about His love and mercy, His patience, and forgiveness; His victory shared with us by “destroying death by His death, and  upon those in the tombs, bestowing life”. 

In This Holy Week, may we encounter, and experience this paradox of divine love; in our attendance and attention to His mocked, broken and dead body upon the Cross and in a shroud; and truly see Him, who has attended to our broken hearts and mortal nature. That in this we might be healed and raised eternally with Him, who acts to save us from the ravages of sin – sickness, and death- eternally.