Ahead of Easter, Holy Week calls upon Christ’s followers to put ourselves under scrutiny

For Christians who follow the traditional worship calendar, this week before Easter is called Holy Week. It is a time of walking with Jesus, from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to the Last Supper and the washing of the feet of his disciples, his betrayal and execution, and his resurrection.

Holy Week is a deeply powerful time, and there are many rituals and practices that invite us deeper into the truths of love at the heart of the Christian faith.

By walking slowly with Jesus through the week, we put ourselves back in history through Scripture and ritual. The fun of waving palm fronds to welcome Jesus gives way to a solemn reading of the account of Jesus’ suffering and death. We walk through darkness to find the light of the empty tomb when we proclaim that Christ is risen. It brings us closer to Jesus.

Jesus, who didn’t have a magnificent parade with all sorts of honors, but rode into town on livestock and was greeted by a ragtag band of people waving greenery.

Jesus, who ate a dinner with some of his closest disciples, including the one who would betray him, and washed their feet in humble service, commanding them to love one another.

Jesus, who was arrested as a threat to the social and political order.

Jesus, a Jewish teacher who was executed by order of the Roman imperial governor, Pontius Pilate.

Jesus, who was placed in a tomb with loving care.

Jesus, who conquered death in his glorious resurrection.

During Holy Week, Jesus confronts us and our assumptions. Are we really following him?

Do we favor the pomp and glory of the world, do we envy the famous, do we wish we were numbered among the super-wealthy with ill-gotten yet legal gain? Or do we pursue the humble way of justice and love?

Do we nurture hatred and revenge fantasies in our hearts, do we daydream about violence, or do we show love even with our enemies and speak the truth?

Do we sit satisfied with a status quo that keeps us comfortable while neglecting the oppressed and marginalized whose stories we do not know, or do we make the world a better place even at the risk of our discomfort?

Do we place our nation above all else, preferring power to justice … or do we recognize that others have a moral claim on us and that we must learn to search our souls and ask forgiveness when we fail?

Do we neglect the humble in our very midst, or do we show care and compassion for those who cannot give back to us?

Do we engage in hypocrisy, proclaiming freedom, justice and love when we mean only selfishness, profit, conformity and complacency? Or do we mean freedom for all, justice for all, love for all?

Jesus walks the way of the cross during Holy Week. Will we betray him like Judas, deny him like Peter? Or will we follow him faithfully like Mary Magdalene? Holy Week calls us who follow Christ to examine ourselves.

And to friends of other religions and no religion: Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts, that we who say we follow Jesus Christ may follow his Way of Love in thought, word and deed — this and every week.