Our 'Hosanna' turns to 'Crucify him' and still Jesus gives us His life
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
On this Palm Sunday weekend we hear the Passion of Jesus Christ according to Mark. The disciples gather with Jesus to share in the Passover meal. They receive a gift they never imagined when Jesus breaks bread (“Take it; this is my body”) and blesses wine ("This is my blood"). They travel with Jesus to Gethsemane and see him led away like a common criminal. They desert Jesus as he faces Pilate and is condemned to death as the crowd shouts “Crucify him”. A crown of thorns is placed on his head as the soldiers shout, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Simon of Cyrene carries the cross that Jesus is too weak to carry to Golgotha. Even after Jesus is crucified and left to die, he is mocked. Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” and breathes his last breath. It is finished.
As you listen to the proclamation of the Passion place yourself at the Last Supper, in the Garden of Gethsemane, in Pilate’s chambers, in the crowd, on the journey to Golgotha, at the foot of the cross.
What do you see?
What do you hear?
What do you feel?
As we begin Holy Week, the most solemn week of the Church year, may we let our hearts and souls share in Jesus’ final days on earth.
Mark really helps us SEE, HEAR, and FEEL with all the details he gives. Thank you for the invitation to be steeped in the Paschal Mystery once again, this time experiencing it as if for the first time.