By Nick Carney
When I was in high school, I was on the wrestling team, and it was brutal. I endured several hours of practice in a hot room, pushing myself physically and mentally through grueling practices, and fasting to make weight. At the end of every practice, my wrestling coach would make us do sprints across the room. The whistle would blow, and we would have to run as fast as we could from one end to the other. Keep in mind that this was at the end of a three-hour practice. I was exhausted with almost no energy left, but we were encouraged to push ourselves with everything we had. On the last sprint, the coach would always say, “This is the last one, let’s make it the best one.” I was always encouraged to hear that it was the end, but it was also a great reminder to finish strong.
Every time I walked on the mat when it was finally time to compete in a tournament, I was ready. All my hours of work, pushing myself to exhaustion through exercise, and fasting to meet a weight class resulted in preparation. Beyond that, my sacrifices allowed me even an even greater feeling of gratitude and accomplishment when I was victorious.
Let us enter Holy Week with the same demeanor. This is the last week, let’s make it the best week. Palm Sunday is a celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem. People excitedly waved palms to welcome Jesus – a welcome fit for the King. Let us bring that energy into our final week before Easter. Regardless of how well we were able to stick to our Lenten promises (made especially difficult this year with everything going on in our world), we can rededicate ourselves this final week and prepare our hearts for the resurrection.
I challenge you this Holy Week to let this last week be your best week as you continue, and perhaps amplify, your prayers, almsgiving, and fasting. Strengthen and fill your heart as we prepare for Christ and allow the resurrection of our Lord fill us with Joy.
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:12-15)