Visiting Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Israel, St. John Paul II spoke of the “extreme need for silence.” That should be something of our attitude during these sacred days. Contemplating the Cross, and our part in it, and standing with Mary, we venerate God the Son hanging there because of our sins. Yet with St. Paul we “glory” in the Cross, for therein is our salvation. One day, if we are faithful, we will hear Christ’s words to Adam: “Awake, sleeper!”