Holy Week: Jesus' journey reminds us of his hope and mercy

This Jubilee year offers us many extra opportunities to reflect on and celebrate groups of people who are often overlooked or treated as outcasts in society. As we prepare for Easter, the next three days provide a chance to respond to Jesus' death and resurrection—and to embrace His call to care for and uplift those who are vulnerable.

Even when Jesus was preparing for his death, he reached out to comfort many, to forgive, and to show us how we must treat others. We see this throughout Jesus' ministry, but for reflection on the Tridium, it starts with the washing of the disciples' feet. In this moment, Jesus demonstrates his humility and reminds everyone that he came to serve. He speaks with Peter about the importance of this action, and then he goes on to encourage the disciples to wash each other's feet. It is an important and valuable example of what Jesus asks us to do when we follow him.  It is a tradition that we continue to do in churches throughout the world on Maundy Thursday.

In recent years, Pope Francis has even washed the feet of prisoners, a reminder that Jesus does not only ask us to serve those we know but to go beyond to those whom society often forgets. Pope Francis emphasised the importance of this act when he opened the second Jubilee door in a prison. He urged us to open the doors of our hearts, cautioning against the dangers of hardening them. At the beginning of this year, he reminded us to keep those in prison in our prayers, calling attention to their needs and dignity.

When we return to Church on Friday, the Passion reminds us of the experiences Jesus endured in the final hours of his life. It recounts his trial before Pilate and follows his journey as he carries the cross to the place where he died. During his time with Pilate, he was alone, knowing that his friends had denied him. It must have been a moment of immense difficulty. Yet on the path to Golgotha, he encounters friends and family: his mother, the disciples, the women of Jerusalem, and even strangers who were pulled in to carry the cross with him. These moments remind us of the strength found in connection and support, even amidst suffering.

Families often stand alongside those on trial, accompanying them through their journey, and later visiting them during their time in prison. Studies show that strong family and social ties reduce the likelihood of reoffending by 39%, which benefits the whole of society. This is a key reason we do the work we do at Pact. We support children and families in maintaining connections with their loved ones in prison, working in over 60 prisons with the help of dedicated volunteers. We also provide support to those without visitors, ensuring no one feels forgotten.

Many of our volunteers dedicate their time as an expression of their faith, inspired by Jesus' words in Matthew 23: "I was in prison, and you came to visit me." Each of us is called to remember those in prison, a message that Jesus reinforces even in His final moments. As he is dying, he is accompanied by two criminals, one on his left and one on his right. One speaks to him out of contempt and says, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, often known as the good thief, St Dismas, the first saint, acknowledges Jesus and says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Responding with the mercy that we all hope he will show us one day, he replies, "I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." In his final moments, Jesus extends forgiveness and hope to St Dismas. We should all remember to show this hope to those in prison and those impacted by the criminal justice system in our churches over this Holy week.