The average person makes about 35,000 decisions per day. These decisions range from where we will eat, how we will act, and what we will say to one another. People’s decisions can range from the small actions of everyday life to those big decisions that can transform their life and those around them. However, what initial instinct does a person use to make a decision? Some people make a decision based on a feeling within their heart; they know deep within themselves to make a determined choice. Some call this a gut response. Others come to a decision based on analyzing the situation with their mind: weighing out the options and creating a step-by-step plan. While many arrive at a decision through their soul: acknowledging that some aspect of the divine is at work through their prayer and meditation.

   This week, many Christians will make the decision to intentionally enter into the celebration of Holy Week. In particular, they will join in the pinnacle celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Christians attend these celebrations for a variety of reasons: a love for the spiritual journey of Christ’s death and resurrection, a long-standing tradition within their own lives, or an inner invitation to take a closer look during these sacred days. No matter the reason which leads one to celebrate these intentional days, the celebration of Holy Week is a decision and response that comes from the heart, mind, and soul.

   On the evening of Holy Thursday, the Christian community remembers how Jesus gathered his apostles in the upper room for the Passover meal. Their beloved teacher, the Son of God, humbled himself to wash the feet of those friends who would later hide in fear. It was at that meal where Jesus broke the bread and shared the cup of wine, saying: “this is my body…this is the cup of my blood…do this in memory of me” (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:17-20 NAB). In this celebration, the Church acknowledges Jesus’ true presence in what appears to be broken bread and poured out wine. However, this is not the only transformation. The entire community is transformed into the Body of Christ here and now. Loving hearts are moved to become the Christ within their own families, community, and world. The Christian faithful are given that transformative decision to “wash the feet of others” by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and serving others without terms or conditions.

   The somber commemoration of Good Friday recalls the suffering, passion, and death of Jesus. It is almost impossible to understand the suffering of an innocent person. How could someone who proclaimed good news to the poor, healed the sick, and gave freedom to the oppressed be forced to suffer one of the most excruciating methods of punishment? Christ’s decision to willingly suffer in love of all creation may not be the decision any person might have made in weighing out the potential options. Yet, what appears to be an illogical decision of the mind can be the most logical sacrifice of love for another.

   The joyous celebration of Easter begins on Saturday at sunset with the Easter Vigil. The community gathers in a pitch-black church during the darkness of night. However, what appears to be an uncomfortable darkness is illuminated by the bright light of the Easter Candle, with the words: “the Light of Christ.” Slowly the entire church building is brightened by the Living Church, and these celebrants hold their own lighted candles. It is Christ’s light of Resurrection that guides the soul in their response to be the light of hope in our dark world.

   The decision to intentionally enter into Holy Week may be rooted in a variety of reasons. No matter how people find themselves in a local church this week – whether from a response of the heart, an action from the mind, or a movement within the soul – any response to journey with Christ through his passion, death, and resurrection comes from the love of God. When Christ was asked for the greatest commandment, he responded from the Old Testament scriptures, saying: “‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul’” (Mark 12:30). This is the Paschal Mystery that we celebrate during Holy Week. This is the invitation to love God with our heart, mind, and soul as the Christian community continues to show Christ’s love in service, sacrifice, and the light of hope.