Reflection: Palm Sunday

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“The tragedy of the passion brings to fulfillment our own life and the whole of human history. We can't let Holy Week be just a kind of commemoration. It means contemplating the mystery of Jesus Christ as something which continues to work in our souls.” –St. Josemaria Escriva

This week, Jesus knocks at the gates of our souls. What will our reaction be? Will we set all things aside to be with our Savior? In committed and silent prayer, invite Jesus to speak while we listen. Let us prepare our hearts to hear by surrendering our worries, anxieties, and family into God’s hands. With a quiet mind and silent home, I invite you to become aware of Jesus’ voice in your life.

This Sunday's readings remind us that Jesus is not just one god amongst many, nor is he merely the new King David. Jesus shares a name with the unspeakably Holy One who reigns from eternity, uncontested and immeasurably glorious. This same God embraced not only a painful death, but also an immensely shameful one. Crucifixion was used on bad slaves. Symbolically, crucifixion meant that THIS MAN did not deserve citizenship, was not trusted to own property, could not even direct his own life, and finally, was a bad slave. Jesus accepted what was given him: an absolutely humiliating death.

He accepted this because he knew and loved his Heavenly Father. Jesus sought his comfort in God alone. God seeks us this Holy Week. Journey with him to the cross by meditating and reflecting on the Palm Sunday Gospel. Receive what the Lord seeks to share with you in prayer. Give him an open heart, an open mind, and open ears. May this Holy Week invite you into a more intimate encounter with God. May you, like Jesus, seek comfort in God.  

Will we trust a God-Man who trusts His Father so perfectly? What might Jesus bring into our home? Crosses? Glory? Humility? Love? Whatever he brings, remember the great gift of himself that he gives us and his promise to be with us.  

“O souls! Seek a refuge, like pure doves, in the shadow of the crucifix. There, mourn the Passion of your Divine Spouse, and drawing from your hearts flames of love and rivers of tears, make of them a precious balm with which to anoint the wounds of your Saviour.” -St. Paul of the Cross

In Christ,

Fr. Michael Fye
Pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church