As we enter into the holiest week of the church's liturgical year we begin as the people of Jerusalem did: welcoming our king.
Each Sunday celebration is a welcoming of Jesus into our lives and asking him to lead us. Yet like the people of Jerusalem our hearts become somewhat hardened and we turn from Jesus or against him. So in our own little ways we crucify our Lord, again and again, whenever we think we can do without Jesus in our life or don't like the direction he gives or the challenge he places before us.
The solemn, yet quiet, suffering that Jesus did for us is what we ponder and pray over during this next week, in preparation of the great celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, which we will celebrate on Easter Sunday.
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Rev. Fred Harvey
How during these Lenten days have we committed ourselves to turning from our old "bad" habits and have begun a new way of living? Let us not change back but move ahead with Christ our Savior!
I invite you, if you haven't come and experienced the Holy Triduum (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), to do so this year as part of your growing closer to God. Come and experience the great celebrations of the church in these days and open your heart anew to the grace that God desires you to receive.
Don't forget the Sacrament of Reconciliation being offered at the four parishes. This is truly a good way to be ready for the graces of God to fill you.
Rev. Fred Harvey is pastor of St. Therese, Church of the Little Flower, in Minot.