Finish the Race

If you’ve ever run a race, you know that the home stretch isn’t the time to take your foot off the gas. It’s the time to give everything you’ve got—to push through the fatigue and the pain in order to ensure that you finish what you set out to accomplish. Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday marks the beginning of His “home stretch”—His passion, death, and resurrection, the completion of His mission of redemption. Jesus knows what His enemies are planning for Him, but he doesn’t hide from them. He enters Jerusalem to the praise of the public. He commits Himself to completing the task ahead.

As we begin Holy Week, we enter the home stretch of our Lenten season and our preparations for Easter. No matter how you’ve done with your Lenten disciplines to this point, now is the time to put the pedal to the metal. Now is the time to rededicate yourself to prayer, penance, and almsgiving. Now is time to make sure that we

finish well the journey we set out on together nearly 40 days ago.

Rather than looking back, let’s look forward to the week ahead, our Lenten home stretch. If you’re still looking for an opportunity for Lenten almsgiving, which is a great way to grow in self-detachment, consider supporting our Diocesan Ministry Appeal. Spend some time with the Lord today, asking Him how He’s inviting you to finish Lent strong.

Rev. Mark Zacker

Parochial Administrator