PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

Let’s take a little true or false quiz as we begin this Holiest Week of our liturgical year:

• Jesus was greeted with helium balloons while riding an electric car as he entered the streets of our town.
  • False. He was greeted with branches as He rode on a donkey into Jerusalem.

• Palm branches in ancient times were placed on top of mummies to protect the deceased and ensure eternal life.
  • True. The palm branches were viewed as a symbol of strength and endurance. For the Greeks, palm branches were woven into a crown of victory. Nike is the name of the Greek goddess of victory, and she always has a crown of palms on her head. Today palm branches are woven into crosses and seen hanging from mirrors in cars or simply placed behind crosses in our homes.

• The people and children lined the unpaved roads of Jerusalem and shouted out “Hosanna.”
  • True. The Hebrew word means “save us now.” It is like what you cry when you are nose-deep in water and drowning. It is a command, a demand or an urgent plea. But it is also a greeting of praise for a leader who is expected to bring about change.
• The Agony in the Garden took place in Central Park. 
  • False. It took place at Gethsemane, located east of Jerusalem at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
• The first person to discover that Jesus had risen from the dead was Doubting Thomas. 
  • False. It was Mary Magdalene.
• On Ash Wednesday, you were marked with the ashes of burnt palms and reminded that you are dust and into dust you will return.
  • True.

We now enter the week we call “HOLY.” We all know the story. It is a week that begins with a joyful celebration and ends with a joyful celebration. 

But in the days in between, the humanity of Jesus is on full display. He is betrayed, mocked, humiliated, arrested and condemned to death like a common criminal.

Once again, we will enter our annual reflection of Jesus’ final hours on earth. We are challenged to walk with Christ all of the way to his execution and resurrection.

Following Jesus is not the same thing as admiring Jesus.

We have more than enough people who admire Jesus. An admirer remains personally detached and at a safe distance. Admirers are those who will serve Christ as long as there is no danger. They talk the talk, but they refuse to walk the walk.

Jesus left us footprints to follow Him, and they are not in the sand.

Following Jesus Christ requires that you and I live by all of the gospel values. Indeed, those who are followers and not just admirers must accept that Jesus was not speaking metaphorically or figuratively when He called for believers to turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile and offer another their shirt as well as their coat. Jesus wasn’t hedging when he commanded his followers to love your enemies, do well to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. 

For the past five weeks, since Ash Wednesday, we have made efforts as a parish to “To Care.” To care for God’s people and to care for God’s creation.”

For the First week of Lent, our suggestion was to Reduce. Reduce our gossip and our misjudging of others and reduce the use of plastic.  

For the Second Week of Lent, we proposed to Refuse. Refuse to complain or feel sorry for ourselves and refuse to use plastic items. 

For the Third Week of Lent, we encouraged you to Reuse. Reuse the mercy that God extends to us.  Reuse a kind and gentle smile to be merciful to others. Be courteous and provide encouragement, as often as needed and to everyone and remember to reuse our water bottles, plastic bags and more to show care for God’s creation.

For the Fourth Week of Lent, the suggestion is to Recycle. Recycle by repeating acts of forgiveness and renewing old friendships to show your care for people and of course, always choose to recycle.

This past week or Fifth Week of Lent, we promoted the idea of Remove. Remove destructive ideas, remove “rubbish” in our lives and remove litter wherever you see it, so it doesn’t float into creeks, streams, our beautiful lake or otherwise do harm to God’s creation.

During this Holy Week we want to promote another “R” word: Renew. As in taking time this week to renew our relationship with our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.

One way to do this is to attend the Triduum and Easter Services, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

So here is another true or false statement. The word Triduum comes from the Latin word meaning “three days.” This is true.

True or false, the three days are Holy Monday, Good Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. False. They are Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

While it may seem as if these liturgies are separate and distinct, they are one continuous celebration commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. For this reason, I encourage you and your family to make Holy Week special by participating in all the Triduum liturgies and of course, attending Mass on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of Our Lord.