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During Holy Week, Our Lord taught in Jerusalem every day, but ate and rested elsewhere - for example, in the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Bethany. Jerusalem represents the world ruled by forces opposed to Christ, whereas Bethany is the Fortress of the Valiant Woman. It represents the Church and models our family home. Are our homes places for the Lord to rest? In commenting on Psalm 31, St. Albert the Great describes the many elements of this fortress. It has a moat of mortality. We must suffer and die because this saves us from pride and reminds us this is not our home. The outer wall is the custody of angels; the tower is humility. Vigil must be kept to foresee and ward off dangers. Guardians are fear (to flee evil) and love (to strengthen us in good), for the life of man upon earth is a warfare. The enclosure is a place of prayer, study, and obedience. Dear faithful, cast out anything from your home that gets in the way of family prayer! There is an auditorium to hear good preaching and a dormitory for quiet, rest and silent contemplation. A choir room, school room, wash room, and kitchen are all given spiritual meaning as well. Yet above all, to make your home a fortress and a place of refuge for Him, enthrone therein His Majesty's Sacred Heart.

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