Dear Friends,
On the cover page of this bulletin, you can see that today is titled as: “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.” So, is today “Palm Sunday” or “Passion Sunday?” The answer is: both. The first name comes from the fact that it commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the crowd had palm branches (John 12:13). The second name comes from the fact that the narrative of the Passion is read on this Sunday. Listening attentively to the passion narrative helps us to understand the meaning of the cross in our lives a bit more clearly. Many saints spoke about this and lived it in their own lives. St. Katherine Drexel wrote: “The patient and humble endurance of the Cross – whatever nature it may be – is the highest work we have to do.”
We take for granted that we use palms today. But why? In biblical times, the palm tree was considered a “kingly” tree because of its lofty height and majestic appearance. The palm tree became a sign and symbol of royalty and victory. “The Jewish people carried palm branches in their processions on festive holy days. Roman soldiers carried palms in their victory parades in Rome. Holding palms in our hands, we too join the crowds who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as their King and Messiah. We have thus entered today into the Holy Week, the most important week of the Liturgical Year. Keep these palms in a prominent place in our home and thus we will be reminded of the significance of what we have begun on Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday.
The Lenten season of sacrifice and self-denial is about to come to an end, but this week is extremely important for all Christians. The greatest focus of the week is the Passion (suffering) and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it. The “Chrism Mass” will be on Tuesday in the Cathedral where the Bishop, together with all the priests, will commemorate one important event of the Holy Thursday – the institution of the Priesthood. It is during this Mass that the sacred oils used for the Sacraments will be blessed by the Bishop. Our parish will be represented by Mike and Debbie Lanyi; they will bring some of these oils back to our parish.
“Easter Triduum” is another term we hear this week. It simply means “a three day festival” of prayer and worship, beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday and ending on Easter Sunday. A short note on each of these days is given elsewhere in this bulletin.
Pope Francis wrote: “Holy Week is a privileged time when we are called to draw near to Jesus: friendship with him is shown in times of difficulty.” My earnest request to you in this column, dear brothers and sisters, is that you make every effort this week to attend these sacred events. Can we consider this week as a time of grace for all of us as a family and so make sure that we participate in these worship services even by making some sacrifice this week, by rescheduling other activities, by rearranging other plans and thus giving priority to this week? You will see the grace of God flowing into your lives and into your homes. Wishing you all a grace-filled Holy Week, leading to the joys of Easter,
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Abraham Orapankal