Palm Sunday

CELEBRATE LENT

Palm Sunday

This morning we take a break from our meditations on being and becoming prayerful to reflect on beginning Holy Seek with the celebration of Palm Sunday. May this wee k be a “Holy Week” for us all, a week of Blessings and Grace.

Be Still…Sit…in Silence…in solitude…Pray gently…from the heart…

Prayerfully, reflectively read the following…….

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem to face rejection and eventual death. He moved, with courage, into hostile territory. He entered a city which killed its prophets and did not know how to receive the things that are for its own good, a city that did not know how to receive blessings and gifts and grace…………..

They greeted him as they would greet a pilgrim: “Blessed is he who enters in the name of the Lord” (Ps. 118:26). And they shouted “Hosanna!”. “Hosanna” means “Save now”. It was a cry for help, which a people in distress addressed to their king or their god. “Save us, we beseech thee, O Lord” (Ps.118:25). Hosanna in the highest means, let even the angels in the highest of heavens cry unto God, “save now”. It is essentially an oppressed people’s cry to their savior and king for deliverance. These hosannas of Palm Sunday will become the cries of “crucify him, crucify him!”

Pray for courage and wisdom to face difficult situations. Pray for those who have to live in hostile situation.

Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.

Reflect on developing a “well-trained tongue” and “well-disciplined” life.

Reflect on speaking words of affirmation, compassion, encouragement, kindness and support.

Psalm 22

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;

In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you.

Philippians    2:6-11

He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even on a cross.

Be humble in your ways. Surrender to God’s plans, even at great cost.

Luke 22:14 – 23:56

We remember Jesus being betrayed, tried, judged, condemned and crucified. We remember him dying on a cross. We remember Jesus giving himself totally in life and in death. We remember the cross, sign of shame and punishment, becoming the symbol of sacrifice, healing, unconditional love, total giving, redemption and salvation. We remember and relive the passion, the cross and the death of Jesus.

Reflect on how you share in the passion and cross of Jesus. Remember those who have heavy burden to carry.

Remember the innocent, especially children and the helpless who have to suffer without support.

REFLECT AND PRAY:

What do you need to do in order to develop a “well-disciplined” life?

What do you need to do to move into and face difficult situations?

Pray for those who have to live in hostile situations.

What does it mean to you to cry out “Hosanna” – Lord, “save now”?

“Behold your King comes”, “Hosanna” to the “Son of David” – a King like David, King of “Truth, Justice, Integrity and Peace”. What does it mean to cry out to the king of “Truth, Justice, Peace and Integrity”?

What does the “passion” of Jesus mean to you? How do you share in that Passion?

My Prayer for you:

May your spiritual discipline during this Holy Week enable you to be reborn in spirit, empower you to love without limits, teach you to pray constantly, help you seek the wisdom of God, enable you to live in compassion and help you celebrate the joy of Easter.

Fr. Gus Tharappel,msfs