Happy Lent! Today marks the final day of the last full week of the season. With the celebration of Palm Sunday, we enter into Holy Week and soon, the Triduum celebrations of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

Over this last week – traditionally called Passiontide (which is why we cover images, statues, and the crucifix) – I have been struck by the coming together of several mysteries and celebrations of our faith. The first was this Wednesday, March 25 – the solemnity of the Annunciation – a full nine months (not a coincidence!) before the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. One of my favorite readings is from a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard in the Office of Readings on December 20, which I think you’ll agree is a lovely reflection on the moments between Gabriel’s annunciation and Mary’s response:

You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.

The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.

Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.

Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.

Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.

The day after Mary’s acceptance of God’s invitation & call, the Archbishop celebrated the Chrism Mass at Saint James cathedral. While this is traditionally celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday, our archdiocese takes advantage of the option to move it to earlier so that clergy and laity from across our rather vast archdiocese can all take part. Though moved to the week prior, this day is intrinsically tied to Holy Thursday: the oils blessed by the archbishop are presented at every parish prior to the Holy Thursday Mass (anticipating their first use at the Easter Vigil) and the priests present at the Chrism Mass renew the promises of the priesthood they made at their ordination – the priesthood that Christ instituted at the Last Supper, which we commemorate at that same Holy Thursday Mass.

The Chrism Mass is one of my favorite Masses of the year. For one, it is an awesome opportunity for all Catholics to come together from among our many (many!) communities. I delight in seeing familiar faces from parishes of which I have been a part as both a layman and a priest – every year I look forward to the reminder of our fellowship even across the long miles that make up the Archdiocese of Seattle. I also delight in the fellowship with my brother priests, particularly the opportunity to informally get together before the Mass (typically with good food & drink!) and then formally renew our priestly promises together. We echo Mary’s fiat, offering our own ‘thy will be done’ to the Lord – just days before we, like her, share in a special way in the salvific work of Jesus Christ.

On Holy Thursday, we will reflect not only on the priesthood and the institution of the Eucharist, but on the Great Commission – because there is one fiat that yet needs renewed: that of all the baptized! I dare to assert that the hardest part of Holy Week is to find 12 Catholics willing to take off their shoes and have their feet washed. It is a rather apt symbol of what makes discipleship so difficult: saying ‘yes’ to Jesus’ invitation to share – first through humble reception of His service to us – in His saving work to, for, and eventually with us.

As we enter into Holy Week, may we use this time well, listening for God’s call to each of us, allowing Him to minister to our deepest needs & wounds, and readying ourselves to likewise step into the role which Jesus has prepared for us: to be not only recipients but sharers of His saving grace to the world.

P.S. The archbishop gave a stellar homily at the Chrism Mass this year – it is well worth your time, if you weren’t able to be there in person! You can listen to it at the Archdiocesan YouTube channel or read it at Archbishop Etienne’s personal blog.