Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord A by Cardinal Tagle “Only when someone values love more highly than life, that is, only where someone is ready to put life second to love, for the sake of love, can love be stronger and more than death. If it is to be more than death it must first be more than mere life. Jesus’ total love for men, which leads him to the cross, is perfected in total stepping-over to the Father and therein becomes stronger than death, because in this it is at the same time total ‘being held’ by him” (Pope Benedict XVI). To watch the video on Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord A by Cardinal Chito Tagle, please click this link: 1st Reading: Is 50:4-7 – My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting knowing that I shall not be put to shame: youtube/watch?v=N5e8kRIYFdo&list=UUXefTOvFG2TjaRX0t2L-Asw 2nd Reading: Phil 2:6-11 – Christ humbled himself. Because of this God greatly exalted him: youtube/watch?v=yaPiuERZDWU&list=UUXefTOvFG2TjaRX0t2L-Asw Gospel: Mt 26:14-27:66 – The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ: Part 1- The reading of the Passion of our Lord: youtube/watch?v=Gg_tmmTXRgc&list=UUXefTOvFG2TjaRX0t2L-Asw Part 2 – The Reflection of Cardinal Tagle: youtube/watch?v=Ld6j7fCrwBY&list=UUXefTOvFG2TjaRX0t2L-Asw Doing the Father’s Business Mt 26:14 – 27:66 A kindergarten teacher challenged her children in class: Ill give $5 to anyone of you who can tell me the name of the most famous man in history. An Irish boy quickly stood up and said, St. Patrick The teacher said, Sorry Ronnie, thats not correct. Then an Indian boy put his hand up and said, Mahatma Gandhi. The teacher replied, Im sorry, Ranjit, thats not right either. Finally, a Jewish boy raised his hand and said, It’s Jesus Christ. The teacher said, You got it right, Aaron! Here is your $5.As the boy came up to her, she said, You know Aaron, you surprised me. You are Jewish, yet you answered ‘Jesus Christ’”. Aaron replied: Yeah, I know. My heart tells me it is Moses, but business is business. Jews are well known for being excellent businessmen. Jesus was a Jew, and he also meant business. As early as twelve years in age, when Mary and Joseph found him in the Temple, he already knew his mission. He asked them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49). The translation of the Douay-Rheims Bible says: “And he said to them, Why is it that ye have sought me? Did ye not know that I ought to be occupied in my Fathers business?” He has come into the world, not to enjoy the popularity and adulation of the crowd, but to do the Father’s business. This Sunday we commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. He knew he would suffer and die there. That is the core of the Father’s business that he sought to accomplish. He has to do it. And the appointed time has come. There is no turning back. For after all, he said, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (Jn 4:34). Business is business. Hence, this day marks the formal start of the passion of Jesus – his sufferings that will culminate in his death on the cross. Hence, we call this day Passion Sunday. This is also known as Palm Sunday. That is because of the palm branches that are blessed during Mass. Palm branches were the ancient symbol of victory. Palm trees are not known to grow in Italy. When the Roman soldiers come home from battle, they would bring with them palm branches from the conquered territory as souvenir of their victory. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people cheered and greeted him as they waved their palm branches. He was greeted as a victorious king. What they did not realize was that the victory of Jesus will come at the price of his own blood. As we begin the Holy Week, we also wave our palm branches, declaring the victory of Jesus. Unlike the people of Jerusalem, we know that his victory comes from his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. So, as Christians, we should also be preoccupied with the Father’s business – the business of love, self-giving and self-sacrifice. It is only in dying to our selfishness, it is only in total self-giving, it is only in genuine love, that we can also join in the victory of Jesus in our world today and for eternity. Fr. Mike Lagrimas Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Palmera Springs, Camarin Road Novaliches, Caloocan City 1423
Posted on: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 05:17:19 +0000
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