The Lord’s Passion
Palm Sunday with the Lord’s Passion is about the following contrast: Kingship of splendor/fame versus a Kingship of service to others. As the procession with Palms which precedes the Mass, we hear a first Gospel reading that states the premise. It tells us about Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. He chooses a donkey to ride on, carrying out the words of Zechariah 9:9 “Behold, your King comes to you , meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burdens.”
The sign of a King was his humility, and therefore in Israel the customary mount for a king in procession was donkey. Jesus rode as a King. People cheered wildly and they layered palm branches on the roadway, even spreading out their own coats upon it. His foot must not touch the common roadway. He is their man. He is their King! If you would like to read more of this article by John Foley, S.J. go to The Sunday Website of Saint Louis University.
Palm Sunday draws us into Holy Week, which some people observe as a week-long retreat. If you were able to attend our Lenten program “Praying with the Heat of Jesus,” the hopefully you have created Sacred Space in your homes. If you were unable to attend then I would like to encourage everyone to create a meditative tone in your homes, with a red cloth, palm branches, Bible, crucifix and a battery operated candle if you have young children. Prepare your “Alleluia Banner,” for East Sunday to hang on your door or place in your front window to announce to your community that Jesus is the light of the world.
Most importantly, plan to participate in the holiest liturgies of the year: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening, the Celebration of our Lord’s Passion on Friday afternoon (pray for our young children as the will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation), and the East Vigil on Saturday evening, (pray for our young teen Kentrell Gabriel as he will receive the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist).
Amazing Peace.
Palm Sunday with the Lord’s Passion is about the following contrast: Kingship of splendor/fame versus a Kingship of service to others. As the procession with Palms which precedes the Mass, we hear a first Gospel reading that states the premise. It tells us about Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. He chooses a donkey to ride on, carrying out the words of Zechariah 9:9 “Behold, your King comes to you , meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burdens.”
The sign of a King was his humility, and therefore in Israel the customary mount for a king in procession was donkey. Jesus rode as a King. People cheered wildly and they layered palm branches on the roadway, even spreading out their own coats upon it. His foot must not touch the common roadway. He is their man. He is their King! If you would like to read more of this article by John Foley, S.J. go to The Sunday Website of Saint Louis University.
Palm Sunday draws us into Holy Week, which some people observe as a week-long retreat. If you were able to attend our Lenten program “Praying with the Heat of Jesus,” the hopefully you have created Sacred Space in your homes. If you were unable to attend then I would like to encourage everyone to create a meditative tone in your homes, with a red cloth, palm branches, Bible, crucifix and a battery operated candle if you have young children. Prepare your “Alleluia Banner,” for East Sunday to hang on your door or place in your front window to announce to your community that Jesus is the light of the world.
Most importantly, plan to participate in the holiest liturgies of the year: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening, the Celebration of our Lord’s Passion on Friday afternoon (pray for our young children as the will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation), and the East Vigil on Saturday evening, (pray for our young teen Kentrell Gabriel as he will receive the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist).
Amazing Peace.