Even in the Valley: Letting the Spirit Lead Us Through Holy Week

This Holy Week, Morgan Stewart offers encouragement to let the Spirit guide you to healing and hope.

Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me. (Psalm 23:4a) 

As we journey deeper into Holy Week, we are reminded of the powerful truth that Jesus walks with us, especially through the darkest moments. The Gospel for Tuesday of Holy Week (John 13:21–33, 36–38) presents one of the most challenging moments in the life of Christ: the prediction of His betrayal by Judas and the foreshadowing of Peter’s denial. This moment of tension and sorrow mirrors the struggles we face in our own faith journeys. 

Lent may be ending, but its lessons continue. This season of sacrifice and reflection has called us to look inward, to confront the parts of ourselves that need healing. Holy Week invites us to trust more fully in the love of Jesus, who, even in the face of betrayal and abandonment, promises, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18) We are not alone. He is with us — in the valley, through the shadows, and toward the light of the Resurrection. 

The Spirit Leads Us into Healing and Renewal 

"Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later." (John 13:36) 

Peter’s devotion to Jesus is real, yet in this moment, he is unable to fully understand what is coming. Similarly, we may not always understand the depths of God's plan, but like Peter, we are called to trust that He is leading us. Holy Week is a time for surrender, not perfection. It is a reminder that our path to holiness is not about avoiding failure but about embracing the grace that follows. 

In this season of the Church’s Perpetual Jubilee, we are invited to deeper healing and renewal. The sacraments — Reconciliation and the Eucharist — offer us encounters with the living God, moments that restore us, empower us, and draw us closer to His heart.

The sacraments are "powers that come forth" from the Body of Christ. (CCC 1116) 

Holy Week is an invitation to experience these sacred moments more fully. Through the Eucharist, we receive the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding. In Confession, we are healed, and in Confirmation, we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit. As Pope Francis says, "The Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners" (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). This Holy Week, let us allow the Spirit to move us from sin to sanctification, from darkness to light. 

Walking Through the Darkness with Christ 

This Holy Week, let us walk with Jesus through the darkness, trusting that the Resurrection is on the horizon. We are called not to be passive observers but active participants in God’s mission. Whether facing personal struggles or societal challenges, we are reminded of the words in the First Letter of John:

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4b) 

Let Us Pray:

"Show me where you want to liberate me." This prayer opens our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s work, guiding us through the valleys and leading us to the light of Easter. We are not alone on this journey — Jesus walks with us, and with His Spirit's help, we will find the courage to follow wherever He leads. 

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Copyright 2025 Morgan Stewart
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