PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
28 MARCH 2021
When
Saint Paul wrote to the Church in Philippi, he knew that there were divisions
and conflicts within the community. So
he tells them to imitate the example of Jesus Christ. Unlike our first parents who grasped at
equality with God, Jesus emptied himself of his equality with God, took the
form of a slave, and remained obedient, even to the point of death.
This
magnificent Philippian hymn sets the stage for Holy Week. We begin Holy Week by adding our voices to
those in Jerusalem proclaiming “Hosanna,” welcoming Christ as our beloved
king. We sing “Hosanna” when we welcome
the stranger in our midst, feed the hungry, or care for those in need. But we also cry “Crucify him” when we fail to
do these things.
Holy Week
unveils the drama of the central Mystery of our faith. Holy Week invites us to put ourselves into
the details of the Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. At times, we are formed to do the right and
just things, even when we do not understand.
In those cases, we are like the unnamed woman who shatters the alabaster
jar to “waste” expensive oil to anoint Jesus. But at other times, we betray
Jesus with our actions, like Judas Iscariot.
Or we are like Peter, James, and John, unable to stay awake during our
watch. Sometimes we are like Peter, very
sure of our faith until we are tested.
More often than we care to admit, we are like Pilate, longing for justice
but following the crowd.
The
readings of Palm Sunday set the stage for our participation in this Mystery
this week. Lent ends when we enter into
the Triduum with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening. Please join us for the major Triduum
Liturgies. We have gone to great lengths
to accommodate the crowds while still observing the pandemic protocols. You can also follow all the Liturgies
online.
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