Holy Week and Humility
Holy Week is the holiest week of the year, when we enter into the greatest mysteries of our faith: the Institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
In this holiest of weeks, we could easily miss, ignore, or rush through these events, eager to conclude Lent and our Lenten fast and celebrate the Easter season.
But this is a week to be present with Jesus at each of these events — Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. We are invited to simply be with Jesus and to immerse ourselves in these great mysteries of our faith.
Triumphant Entrance with Humility
Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem begins with humility. He is the suffering servant who will be “pierced for our sins” and “crushed for our iniquity” that will make us whole and heal us (Isaiah 53:5).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that Jesus enters Jerusalem with “the humility that bears witness to the truth” and his subjects are “children and God’s poor, who acclaim him as had the angels when they announced him to the shepherds” (CCC 559). Jesus voluntarily enters Jerusalem, knowing He will suffer and die for our salvation. His entrance is not on a horse like worldly kings, but “riding an ass” as the crowd laid down palm branches and shouted out “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13).
His Betrayer
“For He [Jesus] knew who would betray him….” (John 13:11).
Judas the Iscariot decides to betray our Lord (Catholic Answers, 2025) on Wednesday of Holy Week. And yet fully aware that Judas would betray Him, Jesus washes Judas’ feet and eats the Passover meal with Judas.
When I have betrayed the Lord, do I open my heart to His desire to wash me clean and bring me back into the fold?
A Model to Follow
At the Last Supper, Jesus, in great charity and humility, takes a towel, basin, and pitcher of water and washes the Apostles’ feet and dries them with a towel (John 13:5). He takes the role of servant and slave to serve his Apostles. Jesus reveals that His Kingdom is the master serving the slave.
His Suffering
“Like a lamb led to slaughter or a sheep silent before shearers, he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
On this solemn day of Christ’s Passion and Death, Jesus draws us into His suffering heart. He asks us to come ever closer to experience His great love for us. He invites us to unite our suffering with His suffering on the cross.
Humility in the Silent Waiting
“Then he [Joseph] rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed” (Matthew 27:60).
Imagine the disciples and the women who were at the foot of the cross — the immense grief, sorrow, and despair they would have experienced. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that “the state of the dead Christ is the mystery of the tomb, and descent into hell” (CCC 624). We are living in this silent waiting, contemplating with humility Jesus in the tomb and His descent into hell.
He is Risen
“…saw the stone removed from the tomb” (John 20:1).
Jesus Christ, our Suffering Servant, has conquered death and defeated evil through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We are no longer slaves to death.
“Whom are you looking for?” (John 20:15).
Jesus asks Mary of Magdala why she is weeping and whom she is looking for because Mary does not recognize the Risen Christ. It is only after He calls her by name that she recognizes Him as “Rabbouni,” meaning “teacher” (John 20:16). Jesus calls us too on Easter Sunday to go out and tell all the good news that the Messiah has come and has conquered death. We have a new life in God the Father.
Be with Jesus
This Holy Week, immerse yourself in the great mysteries of our faith. Walk with Jesus into Jerusalem, through the pain of betrayal, enduring humble acts of love and immense suffering. Savor the silent wait and His glorious Resurrection.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.