Holy Week, the week before Easter, begins with Palm Sunday, remembering Jesus' triumphant entry to Jerusalem. But things went downhill from there. (Actually, the ride into Jerusalem was downhill on the Mount of Olives!) On Thursday night, as Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover meal together, Judas, one of the disciples, was already planning to betray Jesus. He did so later that night. Jesus was arrested, examined by the high priest and other religious leaders, and in the morning turned over to the Roman governor, Pilate. After a short "hearing," Pilate sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion, which was carried out that very day. The suffering and humiliation that Jesus endured was unfair, cruel, and sadly typical of humanity's violent inhumanity. Lest we forget the brokenness that led us to kill the Lord of Life, and all the ways we still participate in dehumanizing others, we mark these events with somber reflection. But we also know that the mercy of God was at work through Christ's suffering, bringing about God's forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation.