Focusing on Christ

Written by Elise Huber on Wednesday of Holy Week

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Dear Lord, Thank you for the sunshine today and how it warmed my body and soul. Thank you for the great conversation I had with my sister that made me feel relaxed and forget about my stress in that moment. Help me to feel more peaceful about my future and be okay with the unknown…. Should I have submitted that application for the job next year? I don’t know. What about my classes? I can’t focus anymore. That is exam is coming up and I am not ready. Oh, and I need to write that paper. Where is my computer?…

This Lent has been blurred. My prayer quickly dwindles away as distractions compete for my attention. I have not been able to focus on my work or on God. My mind travels too fast which ultimately leaves me feeling alone and unaccomplished.

Despite the difficulties, I still would not call this a failed Lent. Instead I see it as a stagnant Lent. I have stood still looking around trying to focus on where God is working in my life and find some direction to follow. Only, my vision has been blurred.

Now we have entered Holy week and are reminded of the story of our Lord’s Passion. In today’s reading we hear about Judas and I can only imagine that he was experiencing the same lack of focus and that his vision was clouded by the views of the world.

“What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”

Not long after he asks that clouded question, I can only imagine that his vision is quickly pulled into focus as he realizes what is happening and as he witnesses our Lord giving His life to save us. I have been distracted like Judas and Holy Week is giving me an awakening of the purpose of life. Christ is about to come into focus.

Questions for Reflection:
What has clouded your vision of Christ?
How do you relate with Judas as you experience Holy Week? How do you relate with Judas as you look back on your Lenten journey?

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Elise Huber
Elise is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with future plans to attend medical school to become a primary care physician. In addition to medicine, Elise is passionate about building community and growing in faith through conversations such as those in Small Church Communities (SCC). She joined her first SCC her freshman year and fell in love with the program. She has been honored to serve St. Mary Student Parish as the SCC intern this year.
Email: eahuber@umich.edu