For all the pain and agony, the darkness and despair, we dare to call this day “Good” because Jesus Christ took our place and died on the Cross for our sins.
We are nourished with the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, instituted at the Last Supper, so that we may humbly serve one another in the name of Christ.
The Passion of the Lord is proclaimed within the shadow of the Cross, where we discover how love, sacrifice, and humility shape our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Let’s examine some of the themes in the Mass readings for Palm Sunday.
1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7
The prophet speaks to the weary rousing words with the help of God.
He is not disgraced, even in the face of attack and mockery.
Psalm – 22:8-9,17-20,23-24
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
READ THIS ENTIRE PSALM in light of the Passion of Jesus Christ! It is worth your time and effort.
2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11
Jesus “emptied himself” by taking on our human form and being crucified for our sake.
Because of his obedience to the Father’s will, his name is exalted above all names, and before him every knee shall bend – in heaven, on earth, and under the earth – proclaiming that he is Lord.
Gospel – Luke 22:14-23:56
Take time this week to read these two chapters and pray over Luke’s account of the Passion of the Lord.
May the death of Jesus help us to comprehend the immensity of God’s love for us all.
As Jesus is presented in the temple, Simeon and Anna are able to see with the eyes of faith that this little baby is the messiah and savior of the world.
The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul offers us tremendous hope that God can touch even the hardest heart and bring about a life-giving transformation.