Here we are on Tuesday of Holy Week. Take a wild guess as to what happens on this day. Really? It’s National, “take a wild guess day.” Do you think the Apostles had any guesses as to what lay ahead for them?
I’ve always wondered what can be done to include Tuesday into the essence and activities of Holy Week. What are you doing today? Some follow the Jewish tradition of cleaning houses in preparation for the Passover. Sounds good, but I would much rather clean up my soul than my whole house.
I am searching for that one ah-ha moment to add to today. Today is also called “Fig Tuesday”, based on Matthew 21:18-22. Jesus was returning to Jerusalem from Bethany and encountered a figless fig tree. He cursed the fig tree and it withered to show them the power of God. He ends by proclaiming that whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive. Now that’s an idea.
Let’s start today by spending our Tuesday of Holy Week in prayer and blessings. Maybe we can even call it “Follow Tuesday”. Like the Apostles, you and I can follow Jesus to the Mount of Olives. We can start by going on a journey of prayer, planning, preparation, and blessings to guide us into the Tridium. First, we can pray for current needs and special intentions, and add a prayer for all those preparing to enter into the Catholic faith this Easter. Second, we can plan out how to follow Jesus to the Resurrection, maybe stopping by a local Catholic church and privately saying the Stations of the Cross? Third, we could clean our houses and say the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary. Typical ideas during Holy Week are fasting and contemplation, but maybe we could invite friends over and enjoy their presence like Jesus and the Apostles did on that Tuesday. Bake a fig dessert, and chat about what is to come.
As Catholics, we respect Holy Week. We appreciate the tradition of observing our faith. It also gives us a sense of community as we gather together. Many of us have spent our whole lives enmeshed in these traditions, yet we haven’t incorporated the Tuesday of Holy Week. We don’t know much about it. Jesus knew what lay ahead. His parables were presented to help the Apostles understand the journey of His Passion and Death. We can take all these examples and begin our journey with Him into His Passion, Death, and Resurrection this Tuesday of Holy Week. Now to look up a good fig recipe!
Daily Reading
Monday in the Octave of Easter
Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying…
Saint of the Day
Saint Hunna
Saint Hunna, “the Holy Washerwoman,” washed and cared for the poor in Strasbourg, earning her name through her noble acts of service.
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