PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
23 MARCH 2024
Palm Sunday
introduces us to a week filled with contrasts.
Those who shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” today will yell “Crucify
him” on Friday. At the beginning of the
Passion according to Saint Mark, the woman of Bethany empties the entire jar of
expensive perfumed oil on the head of
Jesus. On Friday, he will empty his
entire life on the cross. At the meal,
he is surrounded by his disciples. When taken
away to a mock trial, Jesus is abandoned by all, signified by the man who runs away
naked. When he comes to Calvary, Jesus
is stripped of his clothing and embraces the pain, nakedness, and horror of
being crucified. He completely empties
himself, as Saint Paul reports in his Philippian hymn.
In the trial before the Sanhedrin,
Jesus testifies honestly about himself and is condemned to death. A few yards below in the courtyard, Peter testifies falsely about himself out of
fear and is plunged into guilt and grief.
The Church is inviting us to admit the ways we imitate Peter and those
who abandon him. In humility and
contrition, we can renew our trust in the power of Jesus Christ to forgive us
and save us. As a faithful Jew, Peter
knows the custom of praying at certain hours – 9:00 in the morning, noon, and
3:00 in the afternoon to sanctify time itself.
In the Passion, Jesus is crucified at 9:00. Darkness covers the land at noon. At 3:00, he delivers over his Spirit. We sign ourselves at 12, 6, 3, and 9. Through the cross, Christ has entered and
sanctified all eternity and every hour of our being.
Holy Mother Church invites us to observe
sacred time during the Sacred Paschal Triduum to enter into these mysteries in
a deeper way. Please join us in this
shortest and most important Liturgical Season, beginning on Holy Thursday
evening and concluding on Easter Sunday evening. Details are in the bulletin and online. You will not be disappointed.
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