Wholey Week

We are at the beginning of Holy Week, that time in the liturgical year when we are called to reflect upon the events that took Jesus on the road to his death, resurrection and ultimately our salvation. As I thought about this today and reflected on the Gospel of John 12: 1-11 I thought....AAH...the stage is set, all the players are in place and the journey to Calvary about to begin. For Jesus is hanging out with his friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus and Mary brings out the fine ointment to anoint his feet which as we read "bothers" Judas the one whose kiss will lead those feet on he path to the cross. Yes, Holy Week begins. I remember so vividly my grandmother taking me (not often voluntarily) to church during these days-reminding me that Today is: Spy Wednesday; Holy Thursday; Good Friday and so on. I was too young then to get it but went to the services and experienced (as much as I could) the essence of what was going on - what I was there for. That was many years ago and I have experienced this week we call holy in many different ways since then, be it in the chapel of my Dominican Sisters, the streets of Manhattan at the Pax Christi Good Friday walk, the local parish church or in the sanctity of an old California mission church. Each a different but blessed experience. Lately, it occurs to me that we should perhaps look at Holy Week in a more personal way for we are not mere observers of the Passion/Death/Resurrection of Jesus, not just recalling a miraculous but past event in our church history, but rather are we not as part of the Mystical Body called to fully experience, in the most personal way possible this road to salvation? It's not enough to just participate in Holy Week but we must be Wholey Week! We must put ourselves completely into these events, body and soul and through whatever forms of prayer/comtemplation/action we choose know that our spiritual feet are experiencing that same path. Let this year's Holy Week be truely a Wholey Week for you and may the joy of the Resurrection fill your spirit on Easter!

I'm Back!

February was quite a month whereby both the expected and unexpected had me on the run. Things began typically enough and then came the snow. On 2/10 in the midst of a raging snowstorm, I received the bad news that my dear friend Joie had passed away. After getting our car dug out we made the journey to Poughkeepsie to be with his wife Barbara. We did not get back until after the funeral which was during another snow storm on 2/16. Then it was a quick turnaround to get ready to go to Modesto, CA and prepare for presentations to the students on St. Dominic and then faculty on Dominican Spirituality at Central Catholic High School. A wonderful school! Great young men & women guided by a dedicated faculty and staff. I got home just in time for another snow storm! About 2 feet this time and we were without power and heat for two days. We survived of course and thought there were inconveniences it was good to have time even in the dark to slow down and reflect. Well, we have said good bye to Feb. and here we are in March. Yes, many things are planned but perhaps the lesson of Feb. was to take time to appreciate those loved ones around us and all the blessings we often take for granted.