In the Christian calendar, today is Holy Monday. According to the Gospels, Jesus was keeping a brisk pace: he cursed the fig tree, cleansed the temple, and went toe-to-toe with those questioning his authority. He was busy, focused, and clearly a man on a mission.
For most of us, however, it’s just another Monday—perhaps with a dash of “Lenten guilt” thrown in because we feel we should be somber. But while this week carries deep significance, there is no requirement to walk around with a bowed head or a heavy heart. It’s hard to stay gloomy when a dish of jelly beans is calling your name and the grandchildren are busy dyeing Easter eggs.
This final week of introspection doesn’t have to be a dark room; it can be a sunlit porch. Rather than a period of heavy self-correction, think of it as the final stage of “spring cleaning.” Just as the dogwoods and azaleas are pushing through the soil toward the light, our own moments of reflection are meant to help us bloom. It is less about penance and more about clearing the weeds to make room for something better.
If you find yourself leaning toward the “moody” side of spirituality—especially as the narrative grows darker toward the end of the week—remember the Creator’s sense of humor and warmth. The same hand that authored the Passion also invented the wagging tails of puppy dogs, the twitching noses of bunnies, and the annual return of the cherry blossoms. Even the most serious moments of these seven days are pointed toward a grand celebration. They are the quiet, necessary breath we take before a shout of joy.
So, find the time to admire the blossoms (pollen and all), and enjoy the quiet internal “tinkering” that comes with the season. Holy Week has its sobering moments, certainly, but they are held in the steady knowledge that, in the end, “all shall be well.”
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