Gospel of Mark, chapter 11:9

Holy Week begins today – Palm Sunday and we celebrate the unfolding of a great mystery. This week we recall how a master became a servant; how Christ humbled Himself, and yet was exalted above every other creature, and His death was swallowed up in victory. Today, we read the passion story: the story of God’s sacrifice for us; and the story of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, seated on a donkey.

The passion is more than a record of one individual’s sufferings; it is a process through which all who call themselves Christians must enter. There is so much we can identify with in the passion account (Mark 14: and 15).

Generally, we tend to see ourselves in this story only as sympathetic bystanders but we must be prepared to take the place of the judges, betrayers, cowardly disciples, and executioners. How often do we condemn others or betray their trust? How quickly are we ready to unleash a bitter tongue, a piercing remark, a snap judgment? How mercilessly do we find ourselves following the crowd, taking the easy way out, shirking our responsibility to develop a mature conscience? We don’t like thinking about such things, but we must, if we are to enter into the passion story and cast off the old person that is compromised by sin, and rise to new life.

We are invited today to identify with Christ on the cross. Doing so is not easy, for it means saying “yes” to even harder questions. Are we willing to let go? Are we willing to forgive those who hate us? Can we choose life over death? Are we courageous enough to turn our lives around as Jesus taught us, and for which He laid down His life.

Every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist; which Jesus instituted at the last supper, we become part of the greatest drama that has ever unfolded on earth. We recall Christ’s passion, death and resurrection as we take part in the banquet and the sacrifice that brings salvation to the world. We sing “Hosanna” and we reverence the name of Jesus. The word “Hosanna” means come and deliver. The word “Jesus” means, “The Lord delivers.” Hosanna and Jesus are both prayer and answer to prayer.

May this special week that we celebrate be a Holy Week for all of us.

Fr. Hugh Duffy