Will Holy Week find you out of focus?

by Father Mark Goldasich

Sometimes, life seems like a pinball machine. We bounce from bumper to bumper amid loud, unrelenting noise. And just when we think that things are starting to calm down a bit, suddenly we get hit by the flippers and are tossed right back into the craziness.

This past week has felt just like that. I bounced from the shock and horror of the murder of Father Arul Carasala at Sts. Peter and Paul in Seneca to the excitement of the naming of Bishop Sean McKnight as our new archbishop. The sadness of a parishioner’s funeral contrasted with the anticipated joy of welcoming catechumens and candidates into the community at the Easter Vigil. The seemingly endless details of preparing for Holy Week threatened to overshadow the quiet solemnity the church asks of us in these upcoming days. And, of course, the unpredictability of this Kansas weather hurls us from sunny days in the 70s to windy conditions and freeze warnings in the mornings.

In short, I’ve felt very scattered and battered and much in need of this story:

A wise old archer was training two young warriors. Across the meadow was a small target hanging from a tree.

The first warrior took an arrow from his quiver, readied it in his bow and took aim. The old archer asked him to describe everything he saw.

“I see the sky, the clouds, the trees and leaves, the branches and the target,” he answered. “Put your bow down,” the old archer said. “You are not ready.”

The second warrior stepped up and readied his bow with an arrow. The old man ordered him, “Describe everything you see.”

“There is only the target,” said the second warrior.

“Then shoot!” was the command and the arrow flew straight and hit the target.

“Very good,” said the old archer. “When you see only the target, your aim will be true, and your arrows will fly according to your wish.” (Story found in Brian Cavanaugh’s “Fresh Packet of Sower’s Seeds: Third Planting.”)

Focus. Focus on Jesus and his passion, death and resurrection. That’s what I need to do as I enter this Holy Week. Everything else is extra. For families, facing all the commitments to sports, extracurriculars, sleepovers, etc., focusing on making this upcoming week “holy”  can seem impossible. But it can be done.

Because the holiest days of the church year are the Triduum (Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday), make those days special by attending all the liturgies that you can. If that’s not possible, then dedicate time on each of those days to leave behind — at least for a time —  “business as usual,” to walk with Jesus.

Unfortunately, even greater focus can lead to distractions: knots in my stomach! How will I get all the homilies done? Will I remember the special things that comprise the liturgies of the Triduum? Suppose I get down to wash people’s feet on Holy Thursday and can’t get up again? What if the paschal candle won’t light?

When assailed by these “knots,” I breathe deeply and focus on this prayer, composed by Pope Francis, dedicated to one of his favorite titles of the Blessed Virgin: Mary, the Undoer of Knots. It goes like this:

“Through your grace, your intercession and your example, deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find him in all things, may have our hearts placed in him and may serve him always in our brothers and sisters. +Amen.”

You know, I can feel myself unwinding. Bring on Holy Week!