And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
My friends, today is Passion (Palm) Sunday. While palms bring out the crowds, the day is really named after our reading from the gospel. It is the reading of the passion of our Lord. Would you take some time today to read Matthew chapter 26, verse 14 through chapter 27 to verse 66? Stay with the passion of Jesus and find yourself in wonder what he does for us, how innocent he is, how horrible the pain must have been. I think his humanity is so clear when on the cross, he says the words listed above: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” How many of us feel that way today.! Not that we are blaming God, it is simply that we really need help, we really need to be saved. Scholars tells us that Jesus was reciting a psalm/prayer when he uttered those words. Yet, I think he intentionally wanted everyone to hear him in his cry to his Father.
Let us join together in our cries to God, all the while trusting in God’s never failing love and faithfulness. May the peace of the Lord be with you this Holy Week in ways that will enrich you and in ways that your cries will be heard so lovingly. God bless you and all your families. Your priest and sisters miss you very much. You are in our prayers!
Just a few updates:
Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, we are not be able to:
- Distribute Palms this weekend. Please accept the "virtual palm" below in the meantime.
- Hear confessions. In place of individual penance, parishioners are asked to say an Act of Contrition.