Holy Week 2026 - Monday - Jesus God worthy of our lavish love

 I was talking with a group of third graders about the events of Holy Week, and we discussed the scene from our Gospel today. “Why did Mary take a jar of perfumed oil that cost thirty thousand dollars in today’s money and pour it all out and wash Jesus’ feet with it?” I asked the third graders.  And one of the children raised their hand and gave the perfect answer: “Because he is God.”

It is not surprising that we find this story in the Gospel of John—which so often—emphasizes Jesus’ divinity. He is the Word Made Flesh. Throughout the Gospel Jesus ascribes to himself the divine name “I Am”; he possesses divine attributes—glory and grace and truth, having life in himself; he performs divine works: the miracles, especially raising the dead; he claims to be able to do what only God can do granting eternal life to whomever he wills, exercising divine judgment. And showing himself to be worthy of faith and divine honor: “you have faith in God, have faith also in me”. Thomas after Jesus’ resurrection exclaims “my Lord and my God”.

It is important for us, at the beginning of Holy Week, to recall that Jesus is God, a fact that Judas, and the chief priests, and all those who called for his crucifixion, failed to believe. Otherwise we misunderstand the events of this week. If Jesus were merely a good man, then His Passion would be tragic, moving, even inspiring—but no more than that. It would be the sad story of a righteous man who was rejected and killed. 

But because Jesus is truly God, His suffering and death have saving power. His Cross is not simply an example of courage; it is the altar of our redemption. His blood is not merely the blood of a martyr; it is the blood of the Son of God poured out for the salvation of the world.

Jesus’ suffering and death is the great account of God’s love—divine mercy freely poured out

Jesus is God come to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, and because Jesus is God, He is worthy of the extravagant love Mary shows Him in today’s Gospel. Her anointing is not excessive. Love is never wasted when it is given to God. He is worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving. 

May our faith, hope, and love for Jesus be lavish this week. May we give Jesus the best we have in adoring Him, in contemplating Him, recognizing that He is God come to save us out of love for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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As we enter into this most sacred week, let us lift up our hearts in prayer, offering God our love and trust as Mary of Bethany once did, with confidence that He hears and answers.

For the Church throughout the world: that she may be filled with the fragrance of holiness, drawing all people to the love and mercy of Christ during this Holy Week. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all bishops, priests, and deacons: that in their preaching, celebrating the sacraments, and personal prayer, they may pour out their lives in love for Christ and His people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those preparing to enter the Church at Easter: that this Holy Week may deepen their love for Christ and strengthen their desire to follow Him faithfully. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all Christians: that like Mary of Bethany, we may spend time this week contemplating Jesus—adoring Him, listening to His word, and offering Him our very best. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have fallen away from the Church: that the witness of Christian love—visible and fragrant in our lives—may draw them back to seek the Lord who gave His life for them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the poor, the lonely, and all who suffer: that through the compassion and generosity of others, they may know the tender love of Christ poured out for them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead: that having sought the face of Christ in this life, they may now behold Him in eternal glory. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, receive our prayers and pour out your grace upon us. May we offer the best of ourselves in love and adoration, that our lives may bear witness to your glory. Through Christ our Lord.

Holy Week 2023 - Tuesday - Holy Oils and the beloved disciple

 

Tuesday of Holy Week is always a special day in the diocese of Cleveland. This evening, surrounded by his priests, deacons, and members of the faithful throughout the diocese, the bishop will celebrate the Chrism Mass. It is so called, of course, because at the Chrism Mass, the Bishop blesses the oils that will be used for the celebration of the sacraments throughout the diocese. And there are three such oils.

The first oil is the oil of the sick that will be used in hospitals, nursing homes, at death beds and healing services. Through the use of the oil of the sick, the infirmed and dying are united to the suffering Christ, comforted by his closeness, and given strength to bare their cross in union with him.

The second oil blessed at the Chrism mass is the oil of catechumens. As we heard yesterday, the Lord Jesus was anointed at Bethany by Mary before his death. So too, those preparing for baptism are anointed before they go down into the waters to die with Christ so that they may be raised with him. 

The third oil is the sacred Chrism. And that fragrant oil is used after baptism to more deeply associate the new Christian with Christ—the anointed one. Sacred Chrism is used at confirmation, to seal us with special gifts of the holy spirit for the carrying out of our Gospel mission, witnessing with our lives, like Christ to the Good News. Sacred Chrism is also used in Holy Orders, that deacons, priests, and bishops might pour themselves out in service to God and the Church, like Our Lord. 

It is fitting that during Holy Week we celebrate the Chrism Mass and the blessing of these oils, because these oils all remind us to more closely unite ourselves to Christ, and that’s certainly one of the themes of Holy Week. 

In the Gospel today, Peter boasts of how he will follow the Lord even unto death. But we know because of his human weakness and cowardice, Peter flees from the cross. Rather, it is the beloved disciple John, who reclined on the breast of Our Lord, near to his heart.

The Sacraments, especially those involving the oil that is blessed today, all help us to be more like John. John has placed his ear, his mind, his eyes, his senses as close to the heart of Jesus as possible, and he is filled with light and strength and courage to follow where none of the other apostles were able to go.

Please pray for the priests today we gather with the bishop, not only to witness the blessing of the oils, but also to renew our priestly promises. And pray for the Church of Cleveland today as a whole, that through the lasting effects of the holy anointings we have received, we will be ever-more united to Christ who is faithful to his Father’s will unto death for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Catechumens who will be baptized and confirmed this easter, that these final days of preparation may purify and enlighten them to follow Christ always and everywhere.

For the priests of the Diocese gathering today, that their time together will strengthen them, deepen their bonds of charity and faith, and renew them in their priestly commitments.

That in these final days of Lent we may have the strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.