by WELCOME TO HOLY WEEK
JESUS IS OUR GREAT EXAMPLE
Welcome to the week that challenges us to live up to the expectations of our faith. Welcome to the week where Jesus is the focus and the rest of us are called to follow and imitate. This is what Jesus did for us
1. He was humble: Jesus already existed in his divine nature before he became man. Yet, he accepted to become the most despised of men, a slave whom the Romans put to shame and condemned to a humiliating death on a Cross (Phil 2:6-11). The apostle Paul was advising the Philippians. not to be empty boasters but to “do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those off others” (3-4). What is your attitude when people despise or insult you even when you don’t deserve it?
2. He accepted suffering: Jesus was well aware that he would not be allowed to carry out his mission in peace; that he will meet with strong opposition, insults and even physical violence. They will spit on his face, beat him up, torture and scourge him. Yet, he still wanted to carry out his mission because it was not to man that he owed allegiance but to God Almighty. What is your attitude in the face of your sufferings or sickness or death of a loved one?
3. He shunned violence: Matthew tells us what Jesus said to Peter when he tried to defend him with his sword. “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52). Many people today experience violence by inciting others to mob action or by provoking them through acts of terrorism, kidnapping, murder, election voilence, etc. What is your attitude when you are provoked into such a fight or to start a quarrel with someone?
If we can live like Jesus only for this week alone, He will exalt us to a position of promise as we prepare to celebrate his resurrection.
Welcome to Holy Week!
