Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - 28th March 2010

Paschal Mystery

Today we celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and his acceptance of his passion. As followers of the Lord Jesus, we are called to share in his passion. We will suffer as he suffered, yet in the knowledge that God will not abandon us. He is with us through all our suffering. We are not asked to believe that suffering is good in itself but to see that good can come of it and to recognise in Jesus God's solidarity with all those who suffer.

With the evening celebration of Eucharist on Holy Thursday, Lent ends and the Triduum begins. In the course of three days we will celebrate the one Paschal Mystery, entering into the event of Jesus' life, suffering, death and victorious resurrection. Each of the days help us focus in on the different aspects of that one Paschal Mystery.

Holy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper, also remembers Jesus' command for us all to lovingly serve one another through the practice of the priest washing the feet of parishioners. Through this liturgical celebration we remember the centre of Jesus' life which was His ministry of love and service.

Good Friday directs our attention to the aspect of Christ's suffering and ultimate death which won for us eternal salvation. We come together to reflect on the Passion, to venerate the Cross, to kneel in common prayer and silent meditation.

During the day on Holy Saturday we continue to focus on Jesus' death as we remember Him buried in the tomb, but, come the time of the Easter Vigil in the evening, our attention dramatically shifts to the aspect of Jesus' resurrection and the new life.

The Paschal Mystery is one event and it never ends in the Cross, it always ends with the victory of the Resurrection!

I encourage you all to seriously consider participating in these liturgies of the Triduum. The effects of celebrating this holiest of times with your parish community can go far beyond what you anticipate.