HOLY WEEK BEGINS WITH PALM SUNDAY!
Today begins the greatest week in human history: Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday – Jesus’ triumphant entry into the City of Jerusalem – preparing to die for our sins.
“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 and horrible criminals. 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. He accepted this because he knew and loved you and me. 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 Jesus brings, remember the great gift of himself that he gives us and his promise to be with us always.
“O souls! Seek 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 Savior.” -St. Paul of the Cross
Today begins the greatest week in human history – Please join us for Tenebrae at 8 PM this Wednesday, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 PM this Thursday, The Passion and Adoration of the Holy Cross at 3 PM Good Friday and our Easter Vigil celebration at 8:30 PM on Holy Saturday.
CONGRATULATIONS McKenna Coyle, Andy Best, Jay VanGorder and Tessa Madej!
This year at the Easter Vigil Mass we welcome four new members of the Catholic Faith. Andy and Jay will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass next Saturday at 8:30 PM. McKenna and Tessa are already one with us in baptism and will be confirmed and receive holy communion for the 1st time at the Easter Vigil. Congratulations to you and your families, we are so blessed to have you all as members of our parish family. Please keep all the newly initiated Catholics in your prayers this Easter!
Never forget, the Lord is with us, always! Peace in Christ.
As missionary disciples of Jesus, formed as a community through Scripture and Sacraments, we are sent into the world to joyfully proclaim the Gospel.
6740 Broadview Road
Parma, Ohio 44134
216-524-1987