This week, beginning with Palm Sunday, is the HOLIEST WEEK OF THE CHRISTIAN CALENDAR. We call this week "Holy Week" because during this week the Christian encounters the depth to which the living God will go to manifest His love for us. For the faithful Christian it is a thrill and complete joy to realize how much God truly does love us, especially in the person of Jesus Christ.

During this Holy Week, we see the heights and depths of Jesus' life. On Palm Sunday, He is the toast of the town, the Messiah come to save us. The people are clamoring for Him singing "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. " They throw their coats on the ground as Jesus enters triumphantly into Jerusalem. By Holy Thursday, it becomes evident that Jesus' final moments are upon Him and He gives to His Apostles the gift (Sacrament) of Holy Orders, and celebrates Passover (the First Catholic Mass), where Christ gives us the Sacrament of Holy Communion. He says, "Take and eat, take and drink-Do this in Remembrance of Me. " Two thousand years later we remember and we celebrate.

On Friday, a day Christians call "good", the real reason for Christ's mission comes to fruition. Jesus is put on trial before the Sanhedrin, taken to Pontius Pilate to be executed and is subjected to multiple beatings, tortures and finally crucifixion. But why? So that you and I might have eternal life, to answer the "no" from Adam and Eve, and to claim victory over death and sin, forever. This act of Redemption on the Cross is good and we cry out like the thief next to Christ, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom. " If we have been faithful and obedient, we, too, will hear Jesus' comforting words, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise. "

On Easter Sunday, Christ bursts forth from the grave - His victory complete. The Resurrection is God's sign to the world that evil can never win and death has no sting. In the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we experience an echo of our own hope - We, too, will rise on the last day. Our mortal bodies will be changed like Christ's and we will live forever. In this truth rests our hope and the reason why life is worth living.

Come, celebrate this week. Experience it in a fresh and new way. Come live the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Refresh your Faith! And in so doing, renew your faith and hope. May this Holy Week be a blessing to you and your family.