Holy Week

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  03/29/2026  |  The WORD in other words

It is important and expedient to recall Christ’s entry to Jerusalem. It shows the determination of Jesus to fulfill His Father’s plan to save the world by taking the role of the suffering servant. Jesus’ determination in doing so shows this by riding in a donkey, which is a sign of humility. The people waved palms and place their cloaks on Jesus’ way and they acclaimed him as the “Son of David,” a royal title that evokes the dignity and pride of David, especially of what he did for the people of Israel. But this will be the same crowd who would jeer and shout: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” after five days. Why a drastic change of attitude towards Jesus?

As we begin the Holy Week, it is important to remember the betrayal of the people, and likewise the betrayal of the disciples toward Jesus, most especially the denial of Peter and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Why a sudden shift of supposed faithfulness to abandonment? The answer is very simple: We cannot accept the reality of the cross and suffering. In good times, it is easy for us to say “Yes” to God, but in times when we are in challenged, put in a precarious and inconvenient situation, or in trial or in pain, we run away and abandon Him. We obey him one day and we are recalcitrant on the following day. Is this human weakness? We welcome Jesus lavishly only to crucify again and again by our sins. Holy Week is the time that we are convicted that God remains faithful to us despite our constant unfaithfulness, betrayal and sin. He is not saddened by our ungrateful attitude, but he silently waits for us until we first acknowledge that we are in need of Him.

We officially close the season of Lent when we start the celebration of the Paschal Triduum of Christ. On Holy Thursday, we shall recall the washing of the feet of the disciples of Christ. It proclaims Christ’s humility and anticipates Jesus’ greatest service to humanity - His passion and death on the cross. If we wished to be great in the sight of God, we have just to serve our brothers and sisters with love. We likewise recall Christ’s institution of the Holy Eucharist and Priesthood, where he said in a solemn way: “This is my body, this is my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then on Good Friday, we remember Christ’s arrest, condemnation, his carrying of the cross, his last words on the cross, his passion and death. He suffered an agonizing death to prove his profound love for us and his unwavering determination to do God’s will.

Then on the Easter Vigil, we will reflect God’s work of redemption as we light the Easter candle which signifies Christ as the Light of the World. We will witness the Baptism and the Confirmation of our Catechumens and the acceptance of our brothers and sisters into the church. We rejoice because Christ has conquered death by his Resurrection. “Jesus is truly risen from the dead!”

Let this Holy Week be a time of silence, prayer and reflection. Take off your work. Try to avoid social gathering. Avoid entertainment, watching movies and sports. Stay offline in social media. Forgo television or Netflix movies. Minimize the use of your cell phone. Be silent and know that He is God. Savor the language of God, which is silent. Read the story of the Passion of the Lord in the Gospels of Matthew and John. Resolve to do an act of charity if you haven’t done one. Go to Confession. Pray with love and devotion the Station of the Cross and the Holy Rosary, especially the Sorrowful Mysteries. Make this Holy Week really sacred and holy by actively participating the Triduum, that is, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil Mass.