Tag Archives: Palm Sunday

March 18, 2024

Study, Pray, Serve: Palm Sunday

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com

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 PSALM in light of the Passion of Jesus Christ!

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 – Mark 14:1-15:47

  • Take time this week to read and pray over Mark’s account of the Passion of the Lord.
  • May the death of Jesus help us to discern the immensity of God’s love for us all.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (#37,#38)

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March 17, 2024

Parish Retreat: Walking with the Lord through Holy Week. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

This 4-part parish retreat takes the listener through Holy Week:

  • Palm Sunday – setting the stage for the events to come
  • Holy Thursday – Service and Sacrament
  • Good Friday – Sacrifice and Support
  • Easter – Divine Strength and Hope

Each of these presentations can be listened individually or collectively, depending on time and circumstance. May all of us prepare to enter fully into these holy days, drawing closer to Christ and one another.

Palm Sunday – setting the stage for the events to come

Holy Thursday – Service and Sacrament

Good Friday – Sacrifice and Support

Easter – Divine Strength and Hope

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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April 2, 2023

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: Remembering our story, renewing our faith. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Every year we hear God’s great love story when we recall the Passion of Jesus. Rather than fall into the trap of forgetfulness, we remember what Christ has done for us so that we might be renewed to offer our lives for the Lord.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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March 27, 2023

Study, Pray, Serve: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Alem Su00e1nchez on Pexels.com

Let’s examine some of the major themes that surface in our readings for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.

1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7

  • This passage of the “Suffering Servant” is interpreted by the Church to apply directly to Jesus.
  • Note how it is written in the first person, from the Lord’s perspective, and points to the agony of the Passion.

Psalm – 22: 8-9,17-20,23-24

  • “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
  • This Psalm offers a prophecy that is fulfilled with the Passion of the Lord.
  • I strongly suggest that we all read Psalm 22 repeatedly during Holy Week. For although it begins in anguish and suffering, it ends with a resounding praise of the glory of God.

2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11

  • Jesus humbly “empties himself” and takes on our human form in order to die on the Cross for our sins.
  • Because of this sacrifice, Jesus Christ is exalted above all creation, and we acknowledge him as Lord.

Gospel – Matthew 26:14-27:66

  • This is the great drama of God’s love for us!
  • Do yourself a favor and take time this week to slowly read and reflect on the Passion of our Lord. Seriously, just do it, and offer a prayer of gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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April 4, 2022

Study, Pray, Serve: Palm Sunday

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As we journey into the heart of Holy Week, let’s take a look at some of the key themes in our readings for Palm Sunday.

1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7

  • Called by God, the prophet speaks the truth in the face of oppression.
  • God gives strength to face all trials and remain true in faith.

Psalm – 22:8-9,17-20,23-24

  • “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
  • Grab your Bible and read this entire Psalm…then look at the Cross of Jesus Christ!

2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11

  • Jesus “empties himself” and takes on our human form, even facing death on a cross.
  • God glorifies Christ for his saving work, and every knee shall bend as all will acclaim Jesus Christ is Lord!

Gospel – Luke 22:14-23:56

  • This is our great love story; Christ dies for us…even in our worst sins.
  • Read this passage. Pray and reflect on what the Lord has done.
  • If you find it helpful, watch one of the many films which proclaim the Passion of the Lord.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday

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March 28, 2021

Palm Sunday: The sacrificial offering of Christ’s Passion. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Caraviggio, The Entombment of Christ, 1604, Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican City. (My photo)

We read the Passion of the Lord every year to remember the Lord’s sacrificial offering for the salvation of the world. May our reflection inspire us to live the gift of our lives, bought by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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March 22, 2021

Palm Sunday: The Passion of our Lord

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Study: What sacrifices do I currently face in my life?  Do I recognize the presence of Christ as I carry my Cross?

Pray:  Reflect on the Passion of the Lord.  Recall the sacrifice of Jesus and take a moment to express gratitude for his love.

Serve:  How might you help others face their sacrifices? Are there people you can comfort or assist as they carry their crosses?

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

On the road to Jerusalem the Lord was dropping hints to his disciples:

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.”  Matthew 20:18-19

He knew it was coming…and he went through with it.

For us.

And just so we’re clear: not because we’ve been good and deserve it.  Because we’ve sinned and cannot continue without his saving grace.  The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross reveals God’s love for humanity: the fundamental value which the Lord places on ALL human life and demonstrates how love is the greatest of all commandments – for sacrifices reveal quickly and bluntly what we value, respect, cherish, and love.

And Christ sacrificed his pure and sinless life…for our sins.  The more we reflect on the Passion of the Lord, the more we understand the depth of God’s love that knows no limit or boundary – a priceless gift that flows from the heart of Heaven.

Which means that as his disciples the example of Christ becomes our model.  Where do we see our sacrifices today?  How do we – through a sincere and genuine desire to love others – participate in the great sacrifice of Jesus?  What are the Crosses in our lives, and how might we carry them with the help of one who understands the weight of the Cross?

His Cross becomes a gateway that leads to abundant life; may the crosses we carry today be received as our path that the Lord sets before us:

  • To grow in Grace
  • To face our Fears
  • To live in Love

Have a blessed Holy Week.

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

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Note: This post was originally published on March 22, 2015.

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March 30, 2020

The Passion of the Lord

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
The Face of Christ

Study:  Reflect on a time you experienced weakness and suffering.  Where did you find the strength to continue?

Pray:  Gaze upon a crucifix and offer to Christ any struggles you are facing right now.  Bring the needs of your loved ones to the foot of the Cross as well.

Serve:  Is there someone in your life who is carrying a heavy cross right now?  How can you offer comfort and assistance?

Palm Sunday Readings (with Year A reading for the Procession with Palms)

How many times throughout our lives have we made the sign of the Cross?  Stop and think:  at Mass; meal prayers; morning & evening prayers; special gatherings; and moments of blessing and grace.  This simple action, which we teach to children at an early age, invokes a connection with the passion of Jesus.

We adorn our homes with the Cross.  A crucifix is a common gift to a new home; crosses are placed in bedrooms and common areas as a reminder that Jesus is the source of our help and strength.

We adorn ourselves with the Cross as well:  a crucifix on a chain; a cross in our pocket; earrings; rings; bracelets; and all the extra cards, bookmarks, figurines, and miscellaneous items that remind us that Jesus died on a Cross.

The passion we read every year on this day focuses our attention on the central mystery of our faith.  Out of love for us God sent His Son, Jesus, who gave his life on the Cross that we might have eternal life.  Through his suffering and death, we recognize that God has made a pathway possible that we might all journey through this life to the gates of Heaven.

The Cross teaches us many lessons:

  • Life is difficult, and at times painful
  • Weakness and sin are part of our experience
  • God identifies with our pain
  • God dies that we might have life

At the core of our teaching the Cross stands as the testament of God’s love for us.  Yet the Cross appears to be an embarrassment – after all, why would God (all powerful, all knowing, supreme) choose to be humiliated?  Does that not mean that God is weak?  Why could God not take away our sins in a way that showed majesty and splendor?

In reality, the weakness revealed in the Cross uncovers our frailty, not God’s.  Jesus endured the Cross because of our broken, wounded nature.  He carried the Cross because we were unable to – as St. Paul writes “The wages of sin is death” in Romans 6:23 – and he bore the suffering, pain, and grief that are the natural result of our sinfulness.  God is not weak, rather God takes on our weakness so that we can be made whole.

The Cross proclaims the truth that God meets us where we are in life.  In our weakness, in our humiliation, in our low moments of doubt and sin God comes to us.  Jesus, like us in every way but sin, understands our pain because through his Cross he shares in the suffering of the world.  He knows us, loves us, and saves us through his Cross.

Every time we make the sign of the Cross may we recall what the Lord endured for us.  Through the Cross we discover our strength as we trust in God’s love and  seek to follow that love as we journey through this life toward the world to come.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.  Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world!

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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Note: This post was first published on April 3, 2017.

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April 8, 2019

Palm Sunday: The Passion of the Christ

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Station - Jesus in Crucified

Study: Read the Passion narrative again; put yourself in the drama of the Lord’s death. Stand with Mary at the foot of his cross.

Pray: Take time to gaze at the cross. Look beyond the art to the reality of the Lord’s passion. Dwell upon his wounds and thank him for his sacrifice.

Serve: Consider who is in need of healing in your life. Are there people who are carrying a heavy cross? Might you be like Simon of Cyrene – perhaps able to help them with a part of the load?

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

How many times throughout our lives have we made the sign of the Cross? Stop and think: at Mass; meal prayers; morning & evening prayers; special gatherings; and moments of blessing and grace. This simple action, which we teach to children at an early age, invokes a connection with the passion of Jesus.

We adorn our homes with the Cross. A crucifix is a common gift to a new home; they are placed in bedrooms and common areas as a reminder that Jesus is the source of our help and strength.

We adorn ourselves with the Cross in many ways: a crucifix on a chain; a cross in our pocket; earrings; rings; bracelets; and all the extra cards, bookmarks, figurines, and miscellaneous items that remind us that Jesus died on a Cross.

The passion we read every year on this day focuses our attention on the central mystery of our faith. Out of love for us God sent Jesus, who gave his life on the Cross that we might have eternal life. Through his suffering and death, we recognize that God has made a pathway possible that we might all journey through this life to the gates of Heaven.

The Cross teaches us many lessons:
* Life is difficult, and at times painful
* Weakness and sin are part of our experience
* God identifies with our pain
* God dies that we might have life

At the core of our teaching the Cross stands as the testament of God’s love for us. On one hand the Cross is an embarrassment – after all, why would God (all powerful, all knowing, supreme) choose to be humiliated? Does that not mean that God is weak? Why could God not take away our sins in a way that showed majesty and splendor?

Yet on the other hand, the Cross is a statement that God meets us where we are in life. In our weakness, in our humiliation, in our low moments of doubt and sin God comes to us. Jesus, like us in every way but sin, understands our pain because through his Cross he shares in the suffering of the world. He knows us, and loves us even more.

Every time we make the sign of the Cross may we recall what the Lord endured for us. May the Cross be our strength as we trust in God’s love, and may we seek to follow that love as we journey through this life toward the world to come.

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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Note: this post was originally published on March 18,  2013.

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March 25, 2018

Palm Sunday: Christ dies that we may live. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

We read the Passion of Jesus Christ so that we remember each year the Lord’s sacrifice for our eternal salvation.  May the Precious Blood of the Savior wash us clean and renew our hearts for this life…and the life to come.

Mass Readings – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

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