The Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, adopted at the Second Vatican Council states: “For a monumental struggle against the powers of darkness pervades the whole history of man. The battle was joined from the very origins of the world and will continue until the last day, as the Lord has attested. Caught in this conflict, man is obliged to wrestle constantly if he is to cling to what is good, nor can he achieve his own integrity without great efforts and the help of God’s grace…

Hence if anyone wants to know how this unhappy situation can be overcome, Christians will tell him that all human activity, constantly imperiled by man’s pride and deranged self-love, must be purified and perfected by the power of Christ’s cross and resurrection.” (GS 37)

There is an ancient battle being fought. It is fought in our world, in our homes and in our own hearts. This battle pits light against darkness, good against evil, life against death, freedom against slavery, obedience against disobedience, sacrifice against sin. We are all caught up in this battle. If the battle is to be won, each of us must take up our part in the struggle. Darkness and evil will overcome us when good people do nothing. Our part is to take up the cross of Christ and follow in the way that he leads us. We must be of good courage for Jesus has overcome the dark forces of the world.

In the movie, Braveheart, William Wallace and the freedom fighters plan a battle against the British forces that are advancing. Robert the Bruce and the nobles with their men are to enter the battle when Wallace gives the signal. When Wallace and his men are committed to the battle, he gives the sign but Robert the Bruce and the nobles remain on the sidelines and refuse to enter the battle, betraying the trust of Wallace and his men and losing an opportunity to win the battle for freedom.

In the Passion of Jesus we witness different responses to the call to enter the struggle against sin and death. Jesus courageously accepts the cup of suffering and drinks it fully, laying down his life as an oblation of love and a sin offering for all of humanity. Peter expresses a desire to do something great and to stand with Jesus and die for him if necessary, but at the crisis point of decision he fails to stand his ground and he denies his friendship and association with Jesus, and Judas conspires with the enemy in order to advance his own selfish agenda and he betrays his Master with a kiss. As we enter into Holy Week on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we are called to enter into the ancient struggle. Now it is our time to be purified and perfected by the power of the cross and resurrection of Christ and to stand our ground in defense of the good and holy. The angels are already engaged and doing their part, Jesus has taken up the cup of suffering and accomplished his part, now it is our time to enter the battle, to cling to what is good, aided by God’s grace, and to win the battle for the interior freedom of our hearts. Our Lord is counting on us to answer the call and to engage in the ancient struggle for life and freedom.

As we enter Holy Week, what is being asked of us? First, we must make a clear commitment to the cross of Christ in a decision of faith. We must be purified from sin through confession and forgiveness. We must be trained in virtue and prepared for the battle by putting on the armor of Christ. We must persevere in following Christ and carrying out God’s plan of redemption, upholding the law of love. We must be willing to lay down our life as an oblation of love. We sing the lauds of Christ in the procession of palms but are we willing to stand by him in his passion and crucifixion? A river of grace pours out of the opened side of Christ in blood and water, are we willing to immerse ourselves in this life-giving river and be purified of our sins? Our journey through Holy Week is a journey of decision. Will we remain among the crowds, caught up in the spectacle of the man of sorrows and unwilling to walk the road of suffering with him? Will we balk when it is our time to enter the ancient struggle finding that it is easier to remain slaves to sin rather than to fight for the freedom to be counted among the children of God?

The cross of Christ stands before us. It is ours to refuse or to embrace. Can we drink the cup that he drinks and stand by his side, loving until the end? The road to glory passes through the suffering of the cross. It is here that the battle will be won or lost.