A different perspective this past Holy Week

'Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”
                       Hebrews 5:8-9

As a convert to Catholicism, Holy Week holds a special place in my faith journey. I went through RCIA and Holy Week was my final preparation to be Confirmed in the Catholic Church. I participated in each day of the Triduum with joy and excitement! This was my first time to encounter Holy Week and I wanted to fully embrace every part of the week.
Since that first Holy Week, I have been a part of different parish communities. Each opportunity has been different in some aspects but the same opportunity for me to fully participate. This year was no different in that aspect but how I encountered the week had a different perspective. 
On the Friday prior to Holy Week, I was on a retreat and the priest shared a reflection on the Stations of the Cross. His words on each station set a great tone for what I was about to encounter for the week. It can be easy to just attend everything during Holy Week without deeply reflecting on each moment. 
During the Gospel reading of the passion on Palm Sunday, it can seem like a very long reading and easy to drift. During this reading, I try to focus on each part and images from the movie “The Passion of the Christ” go through my mind. The reading is quite short compared to what Jesus Christ truly endured. 
Months prior to Holy Week, I purchased a ticket to see “Jesus Christ Superstar” in Pensacola. At the time, I did not pay attention to the date but only knew that I wanted to attend. As Lent was beginning, I realized that the performance was scheduled for “Spy” Wednesday. Right in the middle of Holy Week, I was attending a musical set during that same week. The musical is very intense and I found myself wondering how acting these scenes so many times impacted the actors. Seeing Jesus Christ on a cross on an almost nightly basis. They bring a lot of passion to their performance. Was it just a show or something more? This brought me back to my reflection on that Friday retreat. Am I just going through the motions or am I concentrating on the impact Jesus has in my life on a daily basis?
On Good Friday, my office works with a parish youth group on a Living Stations of the Cross through the streets of downtown Mobile. This was my second year to be a part of this procession. My thoughts in my first year were all about logistics and making sure everything went as planned. This year I was able to experience the procession and the stations. As we were processing through the streets, people on the sidewalks and in restaurants would take pictures and videos of the procession. What was going through their minds as they saw someone carrying a cross in the middle of the street? 
At the 13th station on the steps of the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a young girl turned away from Jesus on the cross with tears in her eyes. It appeared she had seen enough. Do I look away from Christ when it becomes difficult to realize what He did for me?
Holy Week this year was the most impactful since that first Holy Week when I was confirmed. I pray that the impact will stay with me every day of Easter and throughout the year. I hope that Jesus’ sacrifice will sustain me in my faith during good times or challenging situations especially when I encounter others.
— Tex Phelps is the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He may be emailed at [email protected]
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