Given the length, depth and eloquence of the gospel for Palm Sunday, I don't prepare a homily, I simply offer a reflection to draw listeners deeper into the scriptures and Holy Week ahead of us.
Scriptures for today's liturgy
Although it's at the very heart of our faith,
the story of the suffering and death of Jesus
is recounted in its entirety only twice a year,
and then in the same week,
on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
Though we hear this story infrequently,
its images, scenes and characters are vivid in our imagination.
Particular words and phrases
have embedded themselves in our memory and in our hearts,
evoking repentance and prayer...
Don't these words echo in a place deep in your soul?
“One of you will betray me..."
"This very night before the cock crows
you will deny three times that you know me..."
"Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me;
yet, not as I will but as you will…”
“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak…”
"I do not know the man..."
Peter went out and wept bitterly...
They stripped him, put a crown of thorns on his head and spat upon him…
"Crucify him! Crucify him!"
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
He cried out in a loud voice and gave up his spirit…
Any of these words, these phrases, these images
would be good food for prayer in the days ahead...
We enter the Week we call Holy
when Christians around the world pause to remember and celebrate
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
May the story of his suffering and death
refresh our faith in his love poured out for us...
May the words of Jesus' passion, embedded in our hearts,
bring us to the peace of Easter.
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Thank you for adding some more "holiness" to our week!
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