Palm Sunday, March 31, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Mark 15:1-39 The Passion of Jesus Christ
(Full text of sermon) Each Palm Sunday we take Palm branches into our hands and hold them up as the priest walks through the aisle toward the sanctuary. We follow along in the missal taking the part of the crowd which is proclaiming Christ to be a king: “Hosanna!” “Hosanna in the Highest!” The Liturgy reminds us that we are part of this Passion Play. We must come face to face with the personal and communal nature of sin.
Classes in Latin and Italian, and visits to museums in RomeDeacon Scott Brentwood, who was ordained earlier this year, muses about his experiences in his priestly training as a Mercedarian in Rome. He was invited by the General of the Mercedarians for lunch and they had an interesting conversation. Read all about it in his letter, the March 25 Rome update.
Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Visit the Mercedarians’ Facebook page.
Yes, we see Judas, St. Peter, the Chief Priest, and Pilate sin personally and grievously in denying and condemning the innocent Lamb of God. But what of the crowd? At first, the crowd is saying “Hosanna” proclaiming Jesus the Messiah, but they quickly disappear as the situation gets worse. Later, the crowd calls for and even insists on the death of this Jesus, saying “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!” We cannot blame one person or group for the crucifixion of Our Lord. It was the sins of the world that made it necessary for Him to die. This means all our sins, both personal and communal. Continue Reading…
