So Holy Week is here. For all of us who go to Catholic schools, this means no school and another break. As Lent draws to a close and people get ready to go home again, it’s important to think of more than just a break from school. Holy Week is a time to reflect—to sit back and think about what Lent and Easter are all about.

Whether you gave up sweets, social media, or Netflix for Lent, it’s important to look at the deeper meaning and lessons of Lent. You give up sweets because it’s a sacrifice and teaches self-control and patience, not because you want to eat healthier, although that could be a byproduct. Similarly, you give up social media to give yourself time for other things and not spend so much time on the Internet.

Holy Week is a time of great love. Jesus died for us not because we are perfect, but because He loves us all perfectly. God created you because He thought the world needed one of you, too—just as you are. Similarly, there is nothing that you can do to make God stop loving you. Think about that: you could hate Him, not believe in Him, and even kill someone and He will still love you. No matter what. That’s pretty amazing if you ask me. This kind of love is so unfathomable that it’s hard to wrap your head around. The crucifix of Jesus on the cross is the single biggest sign of love that we have. Another thing that’s amazing to me is that if you were the only person on earth, Jesus still would’ve died for you. How crazy is that? That’s how much you mean to Him. Holy Week is a time of joy, but also a time of sadness. It’s sad that Jesus had to go through all of that, but happy because of His great and undying love for us.

Even on days when things don’t seem to be going your way or you feel worthless, God still loves you. Sometimes it’s hard to think about God or God’s love because it isn’t something you can see. Or at least, not directly. But you can see God in other people—through people’s actions and words. Through friends helping you through hard times and laughing with you. You can even see God in nature: in beautiful sunsets, in the trees blooming, in the flowers.

Hopefully, Lent has changed you in some way: whether you have learned patience, prayed more, or grown closer to God. One of the priests at my home parish said that he looks forward to who he is in 40 days. Lent is all about being a better version of yourself.

So this Holy Week, I challenge you to reflect and think about the true meaning of this week: God’s amazing love for us. This love will be with you forever, through the end of time. It’s impossible to escape it, even if you wanted to. So happy Holy Week, and Happy Easter!