As we enter into this most holy and amazing week let’s pause to reflect on the passion of our Lord. Today we have two Gospel proclamations, one of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, then of His crucifixion. It can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster as we witness a people who see Jesus as our Messiah and cheer Him on, only later to reject Him and call for his death. We place ourselves in these Gospel scenes and recall our role in Jesus’ violent death. We must come to grips with the fact that each of us, through our sin, has brought about the crucifixion.
But God doesn’t want us to remain in our sin. He sent Jesus to be the Paschal Lamb and make it possible for us to be forgiven, released from what binds us so we can live in union with Him. This is the key focus on this week. Without His resurrection His death would not have meaning.
In order for us to live the Gospel passages today we need to be engaged in the liturgies the Church brings us this week. Come and celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood needed to bring us this sacrament of love. St. Peter Julian Eymard states that “The Eucharist, in fact, is the fruit of the death of Jesus.” Come and celebrate this gift. On Good Friday we remember His death. Surrender yourself to God recalling how Jesus did the same. Then comes a time of waiting. Longing for Jesus’ triumph, His fulfillment of the promise to overcome the power of death. Celebrate our freedom from sin brought about by His resurrection! We are no longer trapped in our sin, but have access to God. The Easter Vigil on Saturday brings us the most beautiful and powerful liturgy of the year. I encourage everyone to attend these most holy of days. Set aside time this week to attend our services. Come be a witness to love!