Here are some thoughts I wrote for our bulletin cover as we begin Holy Week.<\/p>\n
Today we celebrate \u201cPalm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord,\u201d more commonly known as \u201cPalm Sunday.\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s an easy name to remember given that at Mass we bless palms and take them home with us.\u00a0 The first gospel reading we hear today reminds us of the symbolism of the palms, signifying the royal welcome Jesus received as He entered Jerusalem for the final week of his life.<\/p>\n
One should note that I said \u201cthe first<\/em> gospel reading.\u201d\u00a0 Today, we actually hear two gospel passages.\u00a0 The first marks the beginning of this most sacred time we call \u201cHoly Week.\u201d\u00a0 The second gospel we hear is the story of Jesus\u2019 Passion.\u00a0 It begins with the Last Supper, followed by the story of the agony in the garden, Jesus\u2019 betrayal and arrest, his trial, and Crucifixion.\u00a0 This is the story of Jesus\u2019 suffering.\u00a0 It is also the story of our salvation.\u00a0 It is so important that it is not enough to celebrate it as a single day. \u00a0One hour on Sunday does not do it justice.<\/p>\n Certainly, we hear the story of Jesus\u2019 Passion today and next Sunday we will hear of Jesus\u2019 Resurrection but I know I came to more deeply appreciate the meaning of these events when I started attending all three services associated with what we call the Easter Triduum (triduum meaning three days).<\/p>\n First, on Holy Thursday, (at 7:00 p.m.) we commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus gave us his Body and Blood in the Eucharist.\u00a0 We hear the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples as a call to service.\u00a0 This is also celebrated as the institution of the priesthood at Jesus\u2019 instruction of service and the call to celebrate the Eucharist.<\/p>\n Then, on Good Friday, (at 3:00 p.m.), we celebrate the Crucifixion. On Palm Sunday, we hear the Passion as told in Luke\u2019s Gospel.\u00a0 On Good Friday, we hear the Passion as told in John\u2019s Gospel.\u00a0 While we have already heard about the Passion today, for me there is something very moving about hearing it on Good Friday followed by the veneration of the Cross where we all come forth to venerate the Cross as the instrument of our salvation.<\/p>\n Then on Saturday night, (at 7:30 p.m.), we celebrate the Easter Vigil.\u00a0 Now, I admit this is a long Mass but to me it doesn\u2019t seem long because of the sacredness of the night.\u00a0 We begin with the blessing of fire, celebrating the gift of light.\u00a0 We continue with scripture readings telling us the story of salvation.\u00a0 Then we will baptize and receive three people into full initiation as members of our Catholic faith.\u00a0 Then, we celebrate the Eucharist.\u00a0 This truly is the most holy night of the year.<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here are some thoughts I wrote for our bulletin cover as we begin Holy Week. Today we celebrate \u201cPalm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord,\u201d more commonly known as \u201cPalm Sunday.\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s an easy name to remember given that at Mass we bless palms and take them home with us.\u00a0 The first gospel reading …<\/p>\n