Holy Week is almost here and instead of trying to squeeze in elaborate crafts or activities for each day of Holy Week, I’m looking at something SIMPLER, but perhaps more meaningful.
By drawing connections between the events of each day of Holy Week with the challenges of motherhood and family life, I think I can better focus my reflection and hopefully deepen my prayer!

Why not reflect on the actions and experiences of Jesus and what they can teach us or model for us in our own lives as mothers?

Palm Sunday

Knowing full-well what is ahead for Him in Jerusalem, Jesus parades through the streets and is welcomed, applauded even! Only 5 days later some of these same crowds are yelling “Crucify Him” and begging the authorities to release an actual criminal in His Place.

The crowd is fickle and kids can be fickle too.

Sometimes, I am disheartened by my kids’ reaction to how I serve them. I can be cooking for an hour or two only to see dinner gobbled up in 5 minutes, kids scurrying off to do more important things and nary a thank you or even a smile of appreciation.

As my kids enter adulthood, the way I serve them is changing quite a bit. With two of my kids living elsewhere, I support them by talking through things, giving advice when asked, and of course, praying for them. Sometimes they agree with me and sometimes they don’t, and their choices can hurt.

Help me to serve without the need to be affirmed and without counting the cost.
Heal the resentment I feel, when I don’t feel appreciated.
Fill me with Your Grace to remain empathetic and steadfast in service.
Heal both of our hearts, when we disagree and make choices that hurt.

Lord, help me love my children unconditionally, even when their emotions and behaviors shift like the crowds on Palm Sunday.

Holy Monday

Jesus angrily cleanses the Temple, offended by His Father’s House turned into a marketplace.

It’s about service again. How often are we tidying up after others, cleaning messes that we didn’t make, searching for items we didn’t lose, trying to fix things we didn’t break?

Lord, help me to be patient and gracious in the works that I do.

I think only Jesus can really get away with flipping tables?

Holy Tuesday

Jesus faces criticism and accusations from the authorities.

How often do we feel judged by other Moms, by our [older] kids, or by ourselves? We feel responsible for the behavior of our children when they are little, and we can continue to feel responsible for the behavior, and even successes and failures, of our adult children.

We need to let them make their own choices. Let them make their own mistakes, even.
Our main responsibility (to the best of our ability) is to instill in them the impulse to pray:
to call out to the Lord when they need help or guidance and to pursue God’s Will in their lives, and to trust in Him.
And we need to remember that we, as Moms need to do the same! We can’t prepare, plan, or fix everything for our children, but we can reach out to our Lord to help them, because He loves them even more than we do!

Lord, please guide me and give me the confidence to trust that You are leading me and I only need to be open and willing to do Your Will, to be the Mom You have called me to be.

Lord, please bless and protect my children and guide them to do Your Will and trust in You.

Spy Wednesday

Judas arranges a way that he will betray Jesus, leading the authorities to arrest Him, for 30 pieces of silver.

As Moms, we can feel betrayed. We may feel belittled by others who judge our efforts and our choices. We can feel betrayed by our kids when they deliberately make choices that counter our values and hopes for them.

Lord, heal my heart. Help me to be compassionate and empathetic, recognizing positive criticism and positive intentions and leaning in to explore my child’s circumstances and point of view.

Help me to recognize Your Will and to pursue and trust in Your Will for my life.

Holy Thursday

Jesus shares the Passover Meal with His Apostles. He washes their feet and introduces them to the Eucharist and the upcoming Sacrifice of His Body and Blood for our sins.

When the children are little, we love them and physically serve them: we change diapers, bathe them, feed them, and care for all their needs. We also support them emotionally and spiritually; introducing them to the Faith and guiding them in their relationship with Jesus.

As they get older, we may serve their physical needs much less, but we love and serve them by listening to them, supporting them emotionally and hopefully influencing them in their spiritual lives, instilling in them the necessity of prayer.

Jesus gave everything to His Apostles, and to us. He didn’t set boundaries or limitations or requirements or conditions. He gave His Life for our sins, so that we may live and experience salvation.

Lord, help me to love unconditionally, and to reflect Your Love. Take away my hesitation to share my Faith and my Love for you with others, prompting them to seek You and experience Your Love for them.

Good Friday

Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns and ridiculed. He carries His Cross to Golgotha where He is crucified, all the while forgiving all others, including His Aggressors.

How little our daily struggles and suffering compare to His!

Jesus, my Lord and my God, have mercy on me a sinner!

Jesus, with Your Grace, I choose to forgive those who have hurt me or my loved ones.
Bless them. Let them see Your Face. Jesus, I trust in You.

Holy Saturday

Jesus’s Loved Ones wait in the stillness. Jesus has been buried in the tomb and His Mother and closest followers wait to anoint His Body after the Sabbath.

As mothers, we spend a lot of time waiting: in carpool lines, for kids in after-school activities.
We may experience a great deal of waiting in prayer: waiting for healing for a child or praying that our child returns to the Faith. Holy Saturday reminds us that even in silence, God is at work.

How often do we find ourselves waiting? What do we fill our waiting time with?

Turn off devices and use the time to pray more, and to pray to Jesus from the heart.

Jesus, I want to be present for You. I surrender all my cares and worries and place them at the foot of the cross. Fill me with Your Grace to know You, love You, and serve You.
I give You my heart. Jesus, I want what You want. Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Sunday

He is risen! Alleluia!

After three days, Jesus is risen from the dead and through His Resurrection, He has saved us from our sins and has opened the opportunity for Eternal Life for each one of us.

Thank You, Jesus for Your Sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the whole world.