But it is not necessary to travel far to make a pilgrimage. Abraham Joshua Herzog once likened the weekly Sabbath cycle of Jewish observance to a cathedral of time. Consider these 8 days in that light. The 7 days from today through next Saturday are a journey to the center of our faith. If you jump from Sunday to Sunday, Palm to Easter, without mindfully, soulfully walking the way of the cross in between, it will be like taking a jet from coast to coast and thinking you have seen the country.
Every journey begins with preparation.
Today we get the broad overview. The opening scene of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, followed by a telling of the story of his suffering and death. For the next three days we are invited to read the scriptures more slowly, prayerfully. Go back to the gospel of Luke at home. Consider the parables and teachings of Jesus in the Temple, his overturning of the money-changers, his charged encounters with the authorities.