Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:40-41

If ever there was a year to skip Holy Week, this would be it.

Mental health issues are at an all-time high after the pain and isolation of the pandemic. Add in the drag of inflation, a terrifying war, and allergies like you wouldn’t believe, and maybe this is a year to just jump right from Palm Sunday to Easter.

I mean, many Christians do that anyway. Holy Week, with all the denying and betraying, is pretty heavy stuff. Having to look straight at a man, a savior, hanging on the cross can be a bit much to take, even in an easy year. But this year may just be too tough.

Do you feel like you need a Pastor’s note, exempting you from Maundy Thursday or Good Friday services? If that’s what you need, I’m happy to oblige. I hereby excuse you from the mental strain of Holy Week. There. Done and Done.

Except…

There’s a power in the observance of the pain. There’s something healing about joining Jesus in the darkness. Easter just plain means more when you allow yourself to remember why we have it. Resurrection makes more sense in the light of crucifixion.

What if, instead of treating Holy Week like a burden, we treated it as a time to lay down our burdens? Or a time to lift up our brokenness and our broken world and cry out “Hosanna” — “save us”, even when the cheers have turned to jeers.

What if, instead of avoiding the pain, we looked it right in the eye and said, “We need you, Jesus. We desperately need you. And we know it.”

Hmm…

If ever there was a year to participate in Holy Week…

this might be it.

Have a Holy Week,

Mitch