Prayer for the Week: Everyone loves a parade. Even Jesus appeared to love a parade, yet he also seemed to be aware of how the parade was an entrance to both Jerusalem and his last days. We love a parade, O Holy Redeemer, but let us not lose sight of our destination amidst all the fanfare and excitement. Keep us focused; keep us moving forward; keep us faithful to the journey during this most challenging week of the year. Provide us space where we can feel the emotional swing from the enthusiastic celebration to the anguish of betrayal and abandonment. Help us to be intentional with our time this week, being attentive to each step along the Via Dolorosa – the pathway to the cross. With everything that attempts to draw us away, redirect our eyes to Jesus and his unwavering movement forward. If fear is the root of our struggle, encourage us this day. If self-absorption is the root of our struggle, encourage us this day. If laziness is the root of our struggle, encourage us this day. If doubt is the root of our struggle, encourage us this day. If we are uncertain about why we struggle, encourage us this day. Nudge us forward, in the direction of faithfulness. We humbly make these requests in the name of Jesus who chose the way of a suffering servant so that your love might be disclosed to the world. Amen.
