Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Yesterday, Palm Sunday, marked the beginning of what is arguably the most sacred week of the Church year, Holy Week, including as it does our commemoration of the Sacred Triduum. We recalled not only Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the King of Glory, but also the events that would lead up to the cross, where Jesus was mocked by the Romans as King of the Jews. Yesterday’s reading of the Passion gave us a telescopic look at the span of this week, providing us with an initial orientation for our meditations.
Throughout this week, we will have the opportunity to walk again with Jesus as he makes his way to Calvary and reveals not only his obedience to our Heavenly Father but also his love for us, his sisters and brothers. When we reflect on the Passion of Christ, we must avoid the temptation to simply glance over Jesus’ suffering. In it lies the key not only to our eternal salvation, but also to finding meaning in, and enduring, suffering in our own earthly lives.
I know that many of you are walking that path with Christ already, bearing crosses of illness, the loss of loved ones, broken relationships, financial insecurity, or times of desolation. It could be easy to fall into despair in such challenging circumstances, but Our Lord wants us to rely on him precisely in those very moments. We need to remind ourselves that the trials we face are already redeemed through the suffering of Christ. As we were reminded in the reading from Philippians, yesterday, Jesus emptied himself of the trappings of his divinity so that he could show us how to navigate the challenges and suffering in our lives in a way that leads us to life everlasting with him.
If we are willing to reflect on the cross and the price that Jesus was willing to pay for our salvation, I’m confident that we will be able to face the hardships that we encounter in our lives with greater trust in God’s plan. As we reflect on the Lord’s passion, perhaps by praying the Stations of the Cross, or reading and re-reading the Passion, or by gazing upon a crucifix, or by praying devoutly the Mass, let’s check to see which event or aspect of this Holy Week sticks out to us the most and then allow that to be the subject of our meditation. I’m confident that the Lord will bless our efforts to unite our struggles and sufferings with his, and will bless us with a meaningful Holy Week.
Chrism Mass (March 28)
The faithful of the Archdiocese are invited to gather for the annual Chrism Mass, where Archbishop Bernard Hebda will bless the Holy Oils that will be used throughout the Archdiocese. Also, during this Mass all priests renew their priestly promises.
25th Annual “Living Stations of the Cross” (March 29)
The “Servants of the Cross” group will re-enact the Passion of Jesus Christ at three locations on Good Friday, at noon, 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Ham Lake parish dedicates Living Stations to pair of past cast members
When Josh Ritter was in high school, he wanted to play Jesus in the annual Living Stations presentation every Lent at St. Paul in Ham Lake.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Palm Sunday and the unveiling of love
Darkness, as we all know, can be quite powerful; amid suffering, it can be hard to see a way out. But as Holy Week shows us, love and hope are far more powerful than the forces of evil.
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"St. Paul VI himself courageously put his own conviction into practice by convoking a Synod in 1974 to address the question of evangelization in the modern world (III Ordinary General Assembly), which gave rise to the landmark Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi, in which he clearly places evangelization at the heart of the Church:
Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection."
Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection."
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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January 8, 2024