Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Scripture:
Mark 11:1-10
Isaiah 50:4-7
Philippians 2:6-11
Mark 14:1-15:47
Reflection:
Before going out somewhere, I usually ask myself how I should prepare; what to wear, what to bring, how do I get there, what time does it start, etc. As we begin Holy Week, maybe we should spend some time on prayerful preparation. What should my frame of mind be as I begin this journey?
Perhaps a good question to begin with is “why am I here, why are we here, why are we all pointed towards Good Friday?” Don Senior, C.P., in his book “Why the Cross?”, helps me understand. “For Luke the death of Jesus on the cross is a “necessity” (“the Messiah had to suffer…”), not as a grim stroke of fate but as the outcome of a prophetic and redemptive mission of healing, inclusion, and justice for the salvation of the world.”
We are here as a natural outcome of what we endeavor to do all the time. We are here because we seek healing in our divided world; a world where we experience each other in an “either and or” rather than a “both and and” context. We are here because we include everyone at the table; we don’t exclude people who are different or hold different opinions than ourselves. We are here because we fight for justice in an unjust society; a society often supported by economic, cultural and racial injustices. People who heal, include and share find themselves pointed towards Good Friday.
As we begin Holy Week, as Passionists we remember the words of our Founder Paul of the Cross.
“Give your trials lovingly to God and pray in this way, “Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will” (Mt 11:26)! “Father,…not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42)! This was the prayer of Jesus Christ. When you have prayed this way, be quiet and fear nothing.”
Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.