Holy Week

In the parable of the workers of the eleventh hour (Matthew 20), we see how the master of the vineyard hired his labourers from early in the morning until late in the evening, so that there were some who worked for only one hour and received the same wage as those who had worked since morning. Faced with the complaints of the first workers, the master explained that he had the right to do as he pleased with his own property. God is not unjust. In love, we even want the other person to be happier. Parents want their children to be better educated and wealthier than they are. If the first workers were truly full of love, they would not have complained that the last ones received the same pay.

Lent is drawing to a close. It is possible that at the start of Lent some made resolutions to grow in their love for Jesus. Throughout Lent, there are those who have kept their resolutions, perhaps with ups and downs. Perhaps not as faithfully as they would have liked. Others have not been very faithful and feel a little as though they have betrayed Jesus. Still others have done very little in terms of Lent. As Easter approaches, we may feel a little unworthy of celebrating this great feast with joy because we have not been faithful to our Lenten commitments. It is not too late to bring your Lent to a good conclusion, to live out Lent properly, for you can be the worker of the last hour. You can give it your all this Holy Week, and God will see your effort and count it as though you had lived out your whole Lent well.

Easter is the Church’s greatest feast. That is why it is prepared for in a special way. Holy Week begins on Holy Monday. On Holy Thursday, there is a Mass rich in significance. It was on this day that Christ ordained his apostles. In the High Priestly Prayer (John 17), he consecrates the priests. Holy Thursday reminds us that we must pray for priests. We must respect them, especially in their dignity. We must therefore not commit sacrilege. I remember a colleague who boasted of having slept with a nun. Girls and women have also slept with priests. Whilst there may be cases where these priests have willingly succumbed to this temptation, sometimes it is the women who lead them into sin. This is committing sacrilege: desecrating something that belongs to God. It is as if you were to walk into a chapel and ransack everything, right down to the Blessed Sacrament. I often tell young women that if, in a moment of weakness, a priest were to make advances towards them, not only should they refuse, but they should even evangelise him, for he needs the Word of God. On the other hand, the priest is Christ’s priest for the Church. We must support priests and their formation. Perhaps we will not see the reward for our support of priests directly. But the Lord himself will reward us according to his good pleasure. I was very pleased recently at the retreat in Douala, where members contributed nearly 250 euros towards the formation of our two seminarians from the Movement. One member also asked me to go to a bank to withdraw 80 euros for these same seminarians. People know that one year of their formation costs no less than 1,500 euros per seminarian. When we support the formation of our priests in this way, we are supporting Jesus.

On Holy Thursday, there is the institution of the Eucharist. Jesus gave his body and blood to save me. He said that whoever does not eat his flesh or drink his blood will not see eternal life. I must therefore do everything I can to receive the Eucharist regularly. And if there is anything in my life that prevents me from receiving Communion, I must pray and do everything I can to ensure that this obstacle is removed. Furthermore, I must show respect for the Eucharist, for whoever receives it whilst in a state of mortal sin eats and drinks their own condemnation. It is like a curse. Saint Paul says that this is why many are ill, infirm and why some people have even died (1 Cor 11:30). If I am in a state of mortal sin, I must go to confession with a firm and sincere resolution not to do it again. Then I will be entitled to receive Holy Communion.

On Holy Thursday, too, Jesus teaches us the attitude of humility. He, the Master, humbles himself to wash his disciples’ feet. He takes on the form of a slave (Phil 2:6–11). How often have we been tempted by pride? It is as though, to be respected in this world, to be held in high regard, one must be proud. But the Book of Sirach tells us that the greater you are, the more you must humble yourself (Sir 3:18). Let us therefore practise humility so that we may be like Jesus. Let us forgive those who do us harm.

On Holy Thursday, the main tabernacles will be emptied to symbolise Jesus’ loneliness. Everyone abandons him during his time of trial. How often have we felt alone? Often even married couples feel misunderstood and alone. We must understand that moments of loneliness, when lived well, are a way of identifying with the Passion of Christ. We must not simply seek to fill the void of loneliness with human company, for no human being can satisfy us or fulfil us to the extent of our expectations. Only God fulfils us: ‘God alone suffices’, said Saint Teresa of Ávila.

Finally, another lesson from Holy Thursday is prayer. Whilst Jesus was suffering in his agony and praying, his closest companions left him and fell asleep. ‘Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he said to them. How often have I been disorganised, lazy or drowsy in my prayer life? Am I faithful to my intimate prayer? I can be so during this Holy Week. If I can take my life of intimate prayer, my life of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, seriously, I will in this way have accompanied Jesus in his agony.

On Good Friday, there is no Mass, as there is only one Mass between Maundy Thursday and Easter. It is true that Holy Communion is often set aside to be distributed at the Good Friday service. This day is the great day of the Passion of Christ. There will be several universal prayers to pray for many intentions for the whole world. Let us not tire of joining in them. There will also be the veneration of the Cross. Through the Cross, Christ saved the world. How many crosses do we not have in our own lives? Every suffering, however small, can be regarded as a cross. All these crosses, great and small, can be offered to Jesus so that he may help us to bear them. As we bow before the cross today to venerate it, let us not merely go through the motions, but let us entrust all our sufferings to him.

On Holy Saturday, there will be the Easter Vigil, with the ceremony of the lights. The lights will be switched off in the main chapel; a fire will be lit outside, and only the priest will enter the church carrying the light. In this way, Jesus is the light that has come into the world and shines in the darkness. Each member of the congregation will then light their candle. By connecting with Christ, we too become lights for others. We must therefore no longer complain about being in an environment where others do not understand us or do not share our values. They are in darkness. If I extinguish my light, I too become like them. On the contrary, I must shine brightly, taking care not to be negatively influenced.

Easter Sunday is a day of great joy. It is a day of celebration. We must celebrate it properly and be joyful, whilst spreading joy to those around us, particularly to all the members of the group. May each of us, in one way or another, bring joy to others on this day.

If Easter week is called Holy Week, it is also a call for us to be holy. ‘Be holy, as your Father is holy’ (Mt 5:48). Holiness is not reserved for the strong, nor for the righteous, nor for the rich. Jesus came for sinners. I, too, can be holy. You, too, can be holy. Jesus accepts you just as you are. He wants you to come to him with your weaknesses, your sins and your shortcomings. It is God who is almighty. He is able to sanctify. He sanctified Mary Magdalene, the prostitute. He sanctified Saul, the murderer. He sanctified Augustine, the impure one. He can also sanctify you if you remain close to him and tell him about your life and your weaknesses.

By living Holy Week in this way, I will have lived it well, perhaps like the labourers of the eleventh hour, and Jesus will be pleased with me and will fill me to the brim. ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Mt 6:33).

Henri Bayemi