Tuesday in Holy Week
In His Steps
Charity is rather a participation in God’s unconditional love. ... The continual tender and loving awareness of the presence of God is its reward.
- Thomas Keating
Yesterday, we wrote that love is not primarily a feeling, but a decision. This means that love is an act of the will and is something we decide to practice, which is a much more expansive understanding of love than merely thinking of it as a feeling.
The love Jesus demonstrates during Holy Week shows us what this deeper love looks like. Each choice he makes flows from his complete surrender to and participation in God’s unconditional love. His actions reveal a love that transcends emotion—love that gives without counting the cost, forgives without condition, and remains faithful even in the face of betrayal.
Every step Jesus takes this week teaches us about the nature of divine love. From his entrance into Jerusalem through the events that will unfold in the coming days, we see a love that reaches both giver and receiver. When he could have retreated to safety, he chooses to remain present. When his disciples fall asleep in the garden, he continues to pray. When Peter denies him, he response with compassion rather than condemnation.
These moments are not just historical events, but holy invitations to participate more fully in God’s love. As we journey with Jesus this week, we are called to practice this deeper love in our own lives—choosing presence over absence, mercy over judgement, service over self-interest.
Making it Personal: Where in your life are you being called to move beyond emotional love to love as decision and action? What helps you stay grounded in God’s love when facing difficult choices. How might this Holy Week deepen your understanding of Christ’s self-giving love?
Listen To Our Lent Podcast Episodes
We also invite you to listen to the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Podcast hosted by Scott Stoner. This is a year-round, weekly podcast; however, during Lent, there will be two new episodes each week to enrich your experience of our Lenten readings on Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
You can listen to the podcast on our website by clicking HERE. You can also find this podcast in your favorite podcast listening app (Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.)—just search for Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness