As reactions to the 'Passion according to Gibson' reveal, the trial, torture and crucifixion of Jesus evokes a powerful response. Praying a way through Holy Week; engaging with whole mind, imagination and will with the last hours and moments of the Lord's life presents genuine difficulties for many people. For some people there is frustration, and even a sense of guilt that they feel removed from the 'action'; that Jesus seems a long way away; that it is difficult to feel present and involved.

If this is your experience there are two considerations to be borne in mind. The first is that this might not have been the case in the past, and that in the future the passion might engage you more personally and emotionally. Just accept that this is how it is for you at this moment. Secondly, it is important to recognize that the Lord is distant because he was and is able to enter the darkest despair and pain of human experience for you. Because of his passion we are spared the naked encounter with darkness. He has put 'distance' between humanity and death, and the one who has death at his command.

The liturgy of the church provides the most reliable and fruitful way to pray the passion. There are several reasons for this. The first is that the Holy Week liturgy embeds the individual prayer in the prayer of the community. Our brothers and sisters provide solidarity as the individual looks towards Golgotha.