Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem  
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem" (Mk 10:33). With these words, the Lord invites the disciples to journey with him on the path that leads from Galilee to the place where he will complete his redemptive mission. This journey to Jerusalem, which the Evangelists present as the crowning moment of the earthly journey of Jesus, is the model for the Christian who is committed to following the Master on the way of the Cross. Christ also invites the men and women of today to "go up to Jerusalem". He does so with special force in Lent, which is a favourable time to convert and restore full communion with him by sharing intimately in the mystery of his Death and Resurrection.
 
For believers, therefore, Lent is the appropriate time for a profound re-examination of life. In today’s world, there is much generous witness to the Gospel, but there are also baptized people who, when faced with the demanding call to "go up to Jerusalem", remain deaf and resistant, even at times openly rebellious. There are situations where people’s experience of prayer is rather superficial, so that the word of God does not enter deeply into their lives.  – Pope Saint John Paul II, Message for Lent 2001
 
These final days of Lent, the start of Holy Week, allow each of us to begin an intense examination of our hearts as we spiritually climb the mountain of Jerusalem and prayerfully commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord.  In researching some quotes and reflections for this daily blog, I came across this message from Saint John Paul and thought it was fitting for the beginning of Holy Week.  They are words that inspire and challenge us, as disciples of the Lord.  Certainly the whole of Pope Saint John Paul II’s Message for Lent 2001 is worthy of reading and prayerful consideration.
 
This is an austere and strange Holy Week -- one that we could have never predicted -- in its own unique way, these days are much like the actual days of the end of the earthly life of Christ (as experienced by the disciples) that we commemorate annually through our Liturgies during Holy Week.  For the followers of the Lord they were a time of unexpected grace in the midst of suffering, confusion, and fears.  No doubt, this will be a memorable set of weeks for all of us -- I hope it will be a moment of great renewal for our faith, just as the events of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection were for the disciples.
 
In these final days of Lent, I strongly recommend making time for praying the Stations of the Cross and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary as a family
 
 
Holy Week and Easter Sunday with Bishop Gainer
 
Just a little reminder, as we look toward the end of the week… Bishop Ronald W. Gainer has invited the faithful to join with him, remotely, for a digital Holy Week and Easter Masses. All live streams of Holy Week and Easter Masses will be recorded and available for view after the scheduled Mass, at the Diocese of Harrisburg YouTube Channel.
 
Bishop Gainer’s Holy Week and Easter Sunday schedule is as follows:
 

• Holy Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
• Good Friday at noon
• Easter Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

 
 
Bishop Gainer had a great homily at his Palm Sunday Mass, available on the Diocese of Harrisburg YouTube Channel for you to prayerfully view, it is worth a second viewing. 
 
More information is available on the Diocese of Harrisburg Website, a special page has been dedicated to “ digital Holy Week” for your convenience.  This is a great privilege, to be able to join with Bishop Gainer – even remotely – for these important liturgies. 
 
 
Let us keep one another in prayer, in these most sacred days and as we experience so many hardships.
 
 
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
 
Father Wilke
 
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!