Today we begin Holy Week. There is no time more important in our liturgical year as followers of the Risen Christ than the sacred celebrations we begin today and conclude on Easter Sunday. I hope you make every effort to participate in the liturgies and prayerfully ponder the meaning of these days.
The title for today is “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.” In the Eucharistic Liturgy today we do two things that we do on no other Sunday. We commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with a procession of palm branches. This ritual helps us to have a sense of entering into a very special week. We also hear part of the Passion Narrative according to Matthew. This proclamation helps us to enter into the somber nature of these holy days.
May this Holy Week help you to enter more deeply into the marvelous mystery we celebrate of God’s saving and redeeming love.