Father Bill says...a Lenten Journey, Palm Sunday

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench

Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday

The first step into Holy Week, the holiest week of the year for us, Catholics, is the Palm Sunday liturgy. The liturgy of Palm Sunday is so unique and wonderful – we begin with the blessing of the palms over at school and then walk over to Church in procession – we literally walk with the people of Jerusalem as they guided Jesus into Jerusalem those many centuries ago. There was joy in their procession – as there, is joy in our procession – our Savior is with us – Jesus is with us – and so we rejoice with our palms waving in the air.

Once in Church – we come to the Liturgy of the Word – our mood changes as the Passion of Jesus is read – again – we hear the story – first of the Last Supper as Jesus institutes the Blessed Eucharist – and then we listen to the sufferings of Jesus – his arrest, scourging, crucifixion on Calvary.

It was not Jesus’ suffering that saved the world but his love. Suffering is something we try to avoid. Yet, we are happy to suffer for someone we love. Our love gives a meaning to our suffering.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, died because he loved his sheep. Suffering that is merely endured does nothing for our souls, except perhaps harden them. It is the spirit in which we bear our burden that matters.

It is not our suffering that God wants but our love. Love eventually brings pain – it can also bring joy – the Christian must not only accept suffering: he or she must make it holy. Love makes it holy.

Then, in our Liturgy, we go to the altar – for the Eucharist. In a special way, on this Palm Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Eucharist – our Holy Eucharist – and Our Savior is with us in a special way – the Blessed Eucharist – Jesus who chose to stay with us for all time in this wonderful sacrament.

We do Eucharist – we become Eucharist with the Lord – we unite ourselves – our hopes and dreams, our cares and concerns, our sufferings and pain – become one with the Lord, Jesus – in this miraculous sacrament.

So our Holy Week begins – and throughout this week we are invited to walk with the Savior – through the Last Supper – through the crucifixion on Calvary – to the Resurrection on Easter.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father – I stand today – holding a bunch of palms – ready to stand up and be counted among the Christians who shout in reverence and acclaim, Hosanna – as I remember that first Palm Sunday – give me the wisdom and love to walk with Jesus this week – so that I may be filled with that saved grace won for me by my Savior. This is my prayer. Amen.

Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.