Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
5th April 2020
Today, Palm Sunday, is the start of Holy week when
Our Lord entered Jerusalem with the crowds enraptured by joy and hope.
‘Hosanna
to the Son of David!
Blessings
on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna
in the highest heavens!’ (Mt 21:9b)
As we know
this joy will soon turn to anguish on Maundy Thursday as Jesus prays utterly
alone in the garden of Gethsemane. His prayer will simply be, ‘Not my will
but Your will be done.’ The rapturous welcome of the crowds in Jerusalem on
Palm Sunday will become the angry cries of the mob on Good Friday,
screaming ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’
On Holy Saturday there will be silence. The silence of the grave, the silence
of darkness and loneliness. It would appear that many of the trials and challenges
Our Lord faced are now echoing in our own present situation.
We have the opportunity to still be able to
accompany Our Lord on his journey from Jerusalem to Calvary this year, despite
the effects and changes caused by the Coronavirus. We may not be able to
publicly celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week in church from waving palms to
kissing the Cross, from the Washing of Feet to the Easter fire, but we can
still accompany him in his Passion.
Palm Sunday the crowds in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus
into their city. Let us start this Holy Week by copying the crowd and inviting
Jesus into our lives, into our hearts. I will be celebrating Mass privately in
church at 11am. Why not join me spiritually for this hour and read the Passion
Gospel for Palm Sunday which this year will be Matthew 26:14 – 27:66. Or if you
can’t read it at 11am try to find another part of the day to do so. Why no
avail yourself of the opportunity of one of the many live streamed Masses
taking place on the internet. Sadly I’ve been informed that at St. Mary’s we
don’t have the broadband capacity to do this. As Jesus entered the Holy city to
shouts of ‘Hosanna!’ let us welcome the Lord into our hearts at the
start of this Holy Week so that we can feel close to him.
On Maundy Thursday we will witness Jesus washing
the feet of his disciples and showing the example of true charity. Why not this
Thursday pray for all those who are serving others from healthcare workers to
those involved in food supply and distribution. Let us pray for those unsung
heroes like neighbours looking out for each other and families supporting one
another. I’ll be privately celebrating The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8:30pm
in church and again I invite you to set aside an hour of prayer and join me
spiritually. You may wish to read the Gospel which will be John 13:1-15.
Good Friday. Our Lord dies on the Cross taking all
the sins of the world upon himself. You will find on the parish website the
Stations of the Cross from our own church. Why not take time on this day to
pray this beautiful devotion and see how much Jesus loves us. I will be praying
the Good Friday Liturgy at 3pm in church. I invite you again to set some time
aside and pray with me for those who have died because of the Coronavirus and
those who are struggling and suffering because of it’s effects. I’m sure there
will be plenty of live streamed services taking place that you are able to
watch.
On Holy Saturday why not pick up your Rosary. It is
such a simple and effective prayer, especially when meditating on the Passion
of Christ in the sorrowful mysteries. Our Lady always brings us so close to her
Son when we turn to her in this beautiful devotion.
I will be placing a box near the Tabernacle during
Holy Week for prayers, petitions and thanksgivings. If you would like prayers
being placed at this time before the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle then
please do email me at sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
and if you would like me to pray with you then do ring the presbytery. I’ll set
aside Mon – Wed this week from 9:30am – 11:30am to answer calls and pray with
parishioners.
The Coronavirus seems to have changed so much of
our daily lives and routines but what it can’t put a stop to is our faith.
Please don’t let Holy Week pass you by this year but see it as a time of hope
and a witness to God’s merciful and saving love. A love that is surely needed
now more than ever.
God Bless and keep praying
Fr. O’Brien