Reflection for April 5, 2009
Passion (Palm) Sunday
The liturgies of Holy Week give us the gift and the opportunity to remember our past, to truly live the present, and to anticipate the future.
On this first day of Holy Week, our parish church is alive with excitement, conversation and movement. Crowds have begun to gather; we have left our usual chores undone, coming especially early to find seats.
| I can envision that long-ago Palm Sunday. Those crowds must have gathered
as they heard excited calls from the roadside. "Hurry, he's coming...Is he
the one we heard about? Come and see!" Perhaps they too, have left work
undone, meals half-finished, floors unswept. |
Our children are begging their fathers, "Popi, I want ramos. Get them."
| Did those children call "Abba, Abba "as their fathers lifted them up
to pull green branches from the treetops? |
During the readings, elderly women are plaiting palm crosses to be placed on the graves of loved ones in nearby St. Raymond's Cemetery.
We know these stories so well, the stories of Jesus entering the city.
I picture him on this momentous day, stopping and looking deeply
into each person's eyes. Did He feel regret and sorrow as he saw
his own future and theirs as well? |
In all the hubbub of our liturgy, I wonder if we really hear the readings.
Do I miss their power and meaning? Am I heart-listening?
Do I really look into Jesus' face? Do I see his courage and deep resolve to do what must be done?
I cannot begin to imagine the effect of pure love.
I ask myself if I have the inner strength to do what must be done.
With the Liturgy of the Eucharist, He is again made present within my deeper self. He has become one with me and strengthens my willingness to be broken and shared for others.
Though Jesus knows our most intense fears and weaknesses, he becomes our determination for the uncertain future. He unites us with each other in His body,
In these quiet moments after Communion, we hear words from Rory Cooney's hymn, "Jerusalem My Destiny." "I have set my heart for the way. This journey is my destiny. I cannot turn away. The journey makes us one." (© GIA, 1990) All of us who face difficulties in the weeks and year ahead can "set our hearts for the way," confident that we can and will continue as Church.
The Gospel Choir jubilantly leads us forward with the powerful closing song, "I have decided to follow Jesus...no turning back, no turning back."
The doors swing open to brilliant sunlight. We clutch our palms and embrace each other.
Indeed, we have set our hearts. Truly, we are on our way!
Reflection by Roberta Lener, SCNY Associate
(Roberta Lener is Coordinator of Religious Education/RCIA
at Immaculate Conception Church in the Bronx.)
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