In celebrating the mysteries of Holy Week, one of the basic questions which comes to mind is, “What does it mean to be a Christian in the world today?“

Many times the Christian stands out for his controversial views in the political arena. Many times he appears as someone who attempts to fence himself off from the rest of society and live as a refugee in an environment where people don’t sin.

This week Jesus insists on carrying us beyond these comfort zones in order to show us what it is all about. In the Last Supper, the journey to Calvary with the Cross, and the Resurrection, Jesus openly displays the fact that the Christian life is not about withdrawing, but instead, it is about taking a step forward in order to reflect God´s love in the midst of the darkness generated by human coldness and sin. It is plain to see that Jesus does not make an effort to separate himself from the world but instead, He humbly enters into it in order to purify it with Love. This Christian logic, which can many times be hard to grasp and very difficult to live-out, can be better understood with a few of the following images…..

4 Lessons Holy Week Teaches Christians

Following:

The Christian life ought not to be reduced to a set of viewpoints, or simply being a do-gooder. At it’s essence it is about opening up to and following another Person, and living according to his style of life. It’s about seeing as he sees, feeling as he feels, and doing what he does where he does it. Jesus’ head-butting with the Pharisees, his heart-to-hearts with the sinners, and his “all-in” attitude displayed on the Cross sketch a few basic characteristics which ought to deeply question his followers.

Going up:

Life with Christ is not lived in a lazy slumber. It is about accepting a challenge and freely doing ones part in order to reach the end. There is a real need to “go-vertical,” to set oneself apart from the flat-lands where the challenges are few and far between in order to engage reality in all of it’s complexity.

Muscle:

Confronting head-on the different aspects of one’s life as a Christian requires interior strength and resistance. One cannot expect to go far malnourished and with a poorly kept body. It is vital to recognize and take seriously the different “food-sources” of the Christian which enable him to prepare himself for the different feats of daily life. Without Christ, one can do nothing (Jn 15: 5). Without the Sacraments, personal prayer, and friendship, the path can become increasingly bleak.

“Don’t look down”:

The lack of Christ weakens and causes fear.“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 62. Looking back on how things could have been or to what one leaves behind can not only weaken one’s present effort in “going up“, but it can also cause one to become disoriented in despair and lose his way.

Enjoy the view but don’t get comfortable:

The adventure with Christ frequently entails some spectacular views, but the pinnacle is reached in eternal life. Being mindful of the goal, and allowing one’s heart to fall in love with God’s promises is a sure source of motivation and strength. Believing that one has already reached the summit can often be the beginning of a fall.

Faith, Hope, and Love:

The climb to the top is not a “free-climb” where one’s own natural capacities are all that separates oneself from the fall. The Spirit-infused virtues of faith, hope, and love are the very dispositions of Christ towards humanity that ought to be cultivated and kept by the Christian throughout the ascent.

All of these different dispositions are most clearly seen in Christ throughout the different moments of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

More Holy Week Resources For Catholics

25 Things You Can Do On Good Friday To Remember Christ’s Sacrifice

5 Things To Do To Make Holy Week The Most Important Week Of The Year

Sacred Catholic Music For Holy Week & Easter Sunday

QUIZ: Which Person From The Gospel Are You This Holy Week?

4 Vital Lessons That Holy Week Teaches Us About Being A Christian Today

Entering Into The Mystery Of Palm Sunday

What 4 Events Do We Remember On Holy Thursday? Let This Icon Explain

Weep, Prepare, or Rejoice: What Are We Supposed To Do On Holy Saturday?

Beautiful, Ancient Holy Saturday Homily

EASTER LINKS

Sacred Catholic Music For Holy Week & Easter Sunday

7 Easter Traditions To Celebrate All Seven Weeks Of Easter

What To Put In Your Tween’s & Teen’s Easter Baskets

3 Ways To Celebrate The Easter Octave

The Beautiful History Of Easter…From a Child’s Perspective

The Proclamation Of Easter | O Truly Blessed Night

Related content:

What Happens During Holy Week? God Doesn’t Just Want A Holy Week, But A Holy Life 5 Triduum Traditions To Help Your Family Celebrate Holy Week Sacred Catholic Music For Holy Week & Easter Sunday Preparing For A Quarantined Holy Week Does God See My Pain? The Question That Holy Week Answers Take A Friend To Church This Holy Week: It Could Change Their Life 5 Things To Do To Make Holy Week The Most Important Week Of The Year QUIZ: Which Person From The Gospel Are You This Holy Week?