Entering into Holy Week

As we enter into Holy Week, I see a generation rising up to take their place, to grow in holiness and strive unto sainthood in Christ Jesus!

John 17:16–19 (RSVCE): 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. 18 As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.

What did Jesus mean by “Sanctification” and “Consecration” in this Gospel text?

"The process of consecration, "sanctification", includes two apparently opposed, but in reality deeply conjoined, aspects. On the one hand, "consecrating" as "sanctifying" means setting apart from the rest of reality that pertains to man's ordinary everyday life. Something that is consecrated is raised into a new sphere that is no longer under human control. But this setting apart also includes the essential dynamic of "existing for". Precisely because it is entirely given over to God, this reality is now there for the world, for men, it speaks for them and exists for their healing. We may also say: setting apart and mission form a single whole."

- Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection

Pope Emeritus Benedict is putting into perspective the call over each of our lives to “be in the world but not of the world”. During this lockdown period, let us allow God to shine light as we re-evaluate the nature of our involvement in the world. Are we truly in the world and not of the world? How do we find that balance between the two seemingly opposed aspects of consecration as Pope Emeritus put it above?

Growing in holiness means allowing God to “Set us apart” but at the same time, it means allowing God to use us as His mighty instrument in this world by reaching out to others. Here are a few considerations to take into account in order to “be in the world but not of the world” :

1. Be Present!

Be fully present in the here and now and constantly bring yourself into His presence. Whether you are at home, work, at school or driving, be present before the Lord who is indeed omnipresent, but also be open to his manifest presence – the way in which he wills to directly communicate His love to you! At the same time, be fully present to others around you be it family members, colleagues or classmates for God desires to use us to reach out to them, extend His rays of healing to them. As much as we are “reaching out”, we must also realize that God can and often will, reach out to us through those around us if only we pay attention. As Pope St. John Paul II says, “Each encounter with a person is an encounter with God.” Be present physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually in the here and now!

2. Filter your relationships

During the remainder of this lockdown period and even more so, as we enter into Holy Week, let us examine all our relationships. Yes, we have to be willing enough to pursue healthy relationships with others to the extent that we are ready to sacrifice our time and effort but we also need to discern which relationships the Lord wills for us to pursue and which ones to move on from. Some relationships can be merely of bad influence, toxic and energy draining. It's time to turn to Jesus, our greatest friend and allow him to deem which relationships to start, maintain and drop.

3. Filter your activities

This is also a good time to evaluate how we spend our time engaging in various activities. Discern what God is calling you to do in every moment and cooperate with His graces to set straight your priorities in life during this lockdown-Holy Week. There is time to run to Him in personal prayer, communal prayer, and there has to be time for family, work etc. While too much of secular activities can compromise our sense of being "set apart & sanctified", too many church activities can compromise our sense of "mission". From the outset, it's necessary to get the fundamental right. Our sense of mission flows from a life of prayer. This means that our prayer life has to constantly transform us into missionaries. There is a time to run to the Sacraments, prayer meetings, cell group meetings and there is a time to go forth and explicitly evangelize to lapsed Catholics, non-Catholics, non-Christians, atheists and all those who long for the Truth.

This wonderful Holy Week, let's enter fully into this potentially life-changing 7-days. Yes, many of us won't be able to celebrate Holy Week like we usually do because of quarantine but Jesus wills to take us to a deeper level of appreciation for His passion, death and resurrection this week. Tap into this time and pay attention to what's happening. Along the way, Jesus will meet you where you are, He will communicate Himself to you and show you how to "be in this world for this world and yet not of the world". We truly are a generation that's set apart, sent on mission and rising up!

Blessings in Christ,

Paul ✌🏾