Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017
Readings: Is 50:4-7
Phil.2: 6-11
Matt 26:14-27:66
This Sunday, Palm Sunday, begins the most solemn week of the entire church year, Holy Week.
The events of this week: the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the tragedy, the suffering, the death of Jesus, his love and forgiveness for us through it all, and his glorious resurrection, evoke one major response from us. FAITH !
Faith in life! Faith in our God who brings good out of everything! Faith that the God who loves us will raise us up from death, and bring us to live with him forever!
The Gospel of Palm Sunday rapidly relates all of the above events in the narration of the Passion of Jesus Christ. The quick reporting of the events, as well as the length of the Gospel, make it difficult in a Sunday setting, to reflect and meditate on the significance of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. However, the second reading for Palm Sunday’s Liturgy, from Paul to the Philippians, has embedded within it a real gem for us to contemplate during Holy Week.
” God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on him the name above every other name,
that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend . . .and every tongue confess
*”Jesus Christ is Lord !- to the glory of God the Father! ”
Perhaps we can ritualize these words during the week by displaying a cross or crucifix in a prominent place in our homes. Each time we pass this symbol of our faith, we can pause for a moment and softly pray, “Jesus Christ is Lord!” We may want to gently touch or kiss the cross as an expression of our gratitude and love.
Invite your family and friends to consider this practice during the Holy Week along with you.
Note: * “Jesus Christ is Lord” (these 4 words were the very first Proclamation of Faith
confessed by the early Christians)
May our voices join in solidarity with the voices of the first century Christians, and all
believers down through the ages, as we humbly proclaim:
“JESUS CHRIST IS LORD ”
Peace and Hope be yours,
Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.