Be Not Afraid

Holy Week for uncertain times

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
(Isaiah 9:2, 5-7, NIV)

These comforting words from the ninth chapter of Isaiah are most often heard during the glad tidings of Christmas, as we await our Savior — our Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

But a couple of weeks ago, they appeared in my morning devotional. At first, they felt jarring and out of place. We aren’t preparing for the birth of Christ right now — we are approaching His death.

And yet, the more I sat with them, the more I realized how perfect these words are for this season. Especially in times as uncertain as these.

In the past, I’ve approached Holy Week and its many services with solemnity and sorrow, holding on to the distant promise of joy in the resurrection. But when I read those words from Isaiah again, I felt something shift. I knew this year, my approach had to change.

Not sadness — but joy.

A joy that began at Christmas. A joy rooted in the knowledge that the price has already been paid. Our sins — past, present, and future — are forgiven. Christ is with us: always has been, always will be. He is our hope. He is our Redeemer. He is our strength.

With this assurance, we can face the fears that come with uncertainty. The real, everyday fears that creep into our very human lives — the pit in our stomach when we see retirement accounts shrink, while prices rise at the grocery store… in the housing market… in our bills. The unease as we wonder if our job will be the next one cut.

And yet, in all of it — Christ is near. He is our peace. He is our steadiness. He is our joy, even in Holy Week.

“We can’t let Holy Week be just a kind of commemoration. It means contemplating the mystery of Jesus Christ as something which continues to work in our souls.” - St. Josemaria Escriva

Let’s embrace the certainty of the promise fulfilled. Christ with us, Christ overcomes death so we will also, Christ our steadfast companion never abandons us.

Christ continues to work in our souls because we are unfinished, always becoming the good souls we were created to be.

Christ’s resurrection encourages us to continue onward, knowing that Christ walks with us, no matter how difficult our path, Christ always beside us. That is the promise fulfilled on Easter day. Evermore.