Be Pilgrims not Tourists

As we enter Holy Week, we enter the most exciting time of the Church. I was challenged by Brother Nick, a local seminarian, to be a pilgrim and to fully experience Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil. A pilgrim journeys to a Holy place, draws closer to Christ, and ultimately comes back transformed where as a tourist passively observes their surroundings.

This entire lent has allowed me to experience ‘Holy Week’ over and over and over again.

1. Palm Sunday – Jesus shatters our expectations
2. Holy Thursday – Leadership is service; service is humbling
3. Good Friday – Suffering with Jesus
4. Holy Saturday – The Silence of God
5. Easter Vigil – The Joy of the Resurrection

God has really put me in my place this Lent. He has shown me so many things that I never thought I’d do, including opening up my heart to being a FTPW. My mind was so set on continuing my professional development as an engineer but the Lord has knocked on my heart. Every time I say, “come in”, He reveals to me something that is completely different than what I had ever imagined. And I find so much peace and joy in what He has revealed.

The CFC Global Vision reminds me that we are ‘blessed to witness to Christ’s love and service’. CFC-Youth continues to give me opportunities to be a witness of His love for me. I’ve realized that it is a blessing to be a blessing to others. This is what we do when we witness.

Suffering with Jesus allows us to appreciate the depth of His suffering and realize that He did all of it for you and for me. Good Friday reminds me that I am called to accept my sufferings and give them meaning, just as Christ accepted his sufferings and made our salvation its purpose.

Holy Saturday reminds me the many times where God is silent. All hope seems lost. Yet, Mary trusted that God was working and desolation would come to an end. God is always working so there is no reason to stop praying.

Finally, Easter Vigil reminds us that the Lord is victorious. Suffering will lead to a resurrection if united with the Lord. The Lord resurrected and no one recognized Him after. This is what happens to us after we suffer with Christ. We are a changed person when we suffer with Christ.

I am very excited that I’ve experienced all of these things already, because I know that the Lord is only preparing me for something greater. Easter Triduum? ILC? Career? Vocation? All of the above.

Lord, thank You for allowing me to experience Holy Week consistently throughout Lent. I am unworthy of your love yet you still clothe me and comfort me. Increase my faith so that You can shatter my expectations. Increase my faith so that I can add meaning to my suffering. Increase my faith so that I can wait in joyful hope.

Increase my suffering so that I can be transformed in and through You.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.