April 14th & 15th, 2022 : n of the Lord
Gospel in action
The first reading shows faithfulness of Isaiah despite struggles, and how the prophet acknowledges the Lord’s help as the cause of his ability to endure. Isaiah’s description of his suffering as the servant of God foretells and describes the passion and death of Christ In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that the attitude of Christ was that of not taking advantage of His great powers and privileges as God but an attitude of selfless surrender and great generosity. Neither Paul nor Christ had to serve yet they chose to do so out of love. This is the attitude St Paul recommends to us. The Gospel readings for this Sunday, Palm or Passion Sunday, recount the entire story of Christ’s death from Holy Thursday through Good Friday. In Christ’s Passion, there were saints and sinners, enemies and friends. And we can find ourselves in any one of these categories. This Gospel reading challenges us to consider areas of our lives in which we deny Christ. We might not see ourselves denying Jesus in front of a crowd as Peter did, but we do deny him in small ways through the little venial sins we commit each day. We might find ourselves in Judas’ company when we reject Christ completely and turn our backs on Him in mortal sin. The Gospel reading also holds up beautiful models of love and fidelity: Mary Magdalene, John, our Blessed Mother, and the women who went to the tomb where Jesus was buried and show us the most noble characteristics of a follower of Christ. The Palm Sunday Liturgy includes both the foretaste of Christ’s glory in the procession of the palms and the bitter agony leading up to the sacrifice on Calvary. This is a good time to reflect on our true attitude towards Christ. Let us gratefully remember His great sacrifice for our salvation and journey this Holy Week. |
Prayer to begin Holy Week
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