Isaiah 50:4-7 / Philippians 2:6-11 / Mark 14:1 -15:39
Today the Church begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday.
So, what is the correct title? Is it Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday?
Well, it is both actually. At the beginning of the Mass, there is the blessing of the palm branches.
And then there is the long gospel narrative of the suffering and death of Jesus.
So, what does all these mean as we begin Holy Week and going on to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter?
With Palm Sunday, we begin the yearly journey, and it is journey not so much towards a destination, but a journey into a sacred time.
We follow Jesus to accomplish His Paschal Mystery, which is His suffering, death and Resurrection, or in simple terms, the saving mission of Jesus.
Jesus wants to save us from our sins and bring us closer to God.
From the depths of human weakness and sinfulness, Jesus wants to lift us up to God and to live a life of holiness, a life that God has created us to live.
So, let us follow Jesus from the agony of the Cross to the glory of the Resurrection, and with the power of the Cross, may our faith be renewed and strengthened.
May the celebration of the sacred feasts also bring us God’s blessings and protection.