As we gather this Passion Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday, we immerse ourselves in the profound mysteries of our faith, marking the beginning of Holy Week. This year, through the lens of Mark’s Gospel (Mark 14:1—15:47), we are invited to contemplate the dramatic journey of Jesus—from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion.
The celebration of Palm Sunday starts with a vivid scene: crowds spreading their cloaks on the road, waving palm branches, and welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” This joyful welcome is a fulfillment of prophecy and a testament to the recognition of Jesus as the awaited Messiah. However, as we continue through the readings of Passion Sunday, we are confronted with a stark and unsettling contrast.
The same crowds that gathered to welcome Jesus with open arms and shouts of joy are soon swayed to demand His crucifixion. This swift change from adoration to condemnation is a powerful reminder of the fickle nature of human loyalty and the profound mystery of Jesus’ passion and sacrifice. It challenges us to reflect on our own faithfulness and commitment to Jesus. Are we steadfast in our faith, or are we like the crowds, easily swayed by the challenges and pressures of the world around us? How do we choose Christ in our daily lives?
It reminds me of well-known Native American parable, often attributed to the Cherokee tribe, about the two wolves. The tale is a conversation between an elder, often depicted as a grandfather, and his grandchild, teaching a powerful lesson about this internal struggle within each person. In the story, the grandfather tells the grandchild that there are two wolves battling inside every person. He describes one wolf as good, embodying qualities like kindness, bravery, and love. The other wolf represents negative emotions and actions, such as anger, jealousy, and fear. The grandchild, intrigued by this, asks which wolf wins the battle. The grandfather simply replies, “The one you feed.”
This story emphasizes the importance of nurturing the positive aspects of our character and recognizing that the qualities we choose to feed, through our thoughts and actions, will ultimately define our lives. It teaches about the power of choice, and the impact of our actions on our character and destiny and indeed our discipleship. Every small action of good or evil determines the path we live.
We would like to believe that there are two types of people in the world: “good” people (mostly us and our friends) and “bad people” (mostly our enemies or those we disagree with). The challenge is that is not reality! Rarely are people pure evil or pure good. We all have the potential of good and evil within each of us at any given moment. It is what we choose to do or say that gives into the good or bad within us.
Daily, we have a choice about our actions, thoughts, and decisions, highlighting a universal truth about the nature of human choice and the constant presence of opposing forces within us. It’s a reminder that the path we choose to follow, whether towards light or darkness, kindness or anger, is ultimately up to us. With God’s grace we can choose to feed to the “good wolf” within us.
The readings for Passion Sunday invite us into a deep meditation on the nature of Jesus’ kingship and His unconditional love for humanity. His journey through suffering and death is not a story of defeat but a profound revelation of divine love and the power of redemption. Jesus embraces His passion and death with humility and trust in the Father, transforming the ultimate act of human cruelty into the means of our salvation.
I encourage you to participate in all the liturgies of Holy Week, beginning with the communal sacrament of reconciliation on Monday, March 25th at 7:00pm. We have a special guest presider, Christine Moore, who will lead us through a beautiful communal and musical liturgy accompanied by musician, John Kellett, followed by personal confessions. Let us not be mere spectators of these events but actively engage with the mystery of Jesus’ passion by cleansing our hearts for the Holy Week celebrations. Let us walk with Jesus from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the foot of the cross, reflecting on the depth of His love for us.
On Holy Thursday at 7:00pm, I ask you to join us as the priests concelebrate the Lord’s Supper. During the service, the priests will publicly renew our vows of priesthood with the parish community as we did this past Thursday night with all the priests and bishop at the Cathedral. Furthermore, we invite everyone to imitate the model that Jesus gave us in washing the feet of all the disciples—we invite everyone to come and have their feet washed and then in turn wash someone else’s feet. I know this ritual action is deeply uncomfortable for many but that is the whole point—to step outside our comfort zone and serve others. Immediately following the Mass, we will process to the Parish Center for the Altar or Repose and have adoration until midnight. Come and spend some time before Jesus in silence. It is a beautiful experience and so good for your soul!
On Good Friday, we have two Gospel Passion dramatizations at 12 noon and 7:00pm. These are particularly powerful and moving celebrations.
Easter Vigil Mass is at 8:00pm where we welcome into the Church 11 adults and children. If you have never attended the Easter Vigil before, this year is a great opportunity to do so. While it is a little longer than the regular Mass with five readings, it is truly transformative and inspiring. It is my favorite liturgy of the year! Come and join us welcome the newly initiated into the Church and celebrate with them afterwards in the Parish Center.
On Easter Sunday we have three morning Masses at 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:15am (note: there is no 5:00pm Mass). I encourage you to please invite your family and friends to come and join you for Mass. We welcome everyone! We will have a gift of holy water in a small bottle for every family to take home and will have places for you to take your family Easter 2024 photos.
As you know, last Sunday was St. Patrick’s Day and I want to give a HUGE shout out to the organizers and volunteers on the St. Patrick event here at St. Simon. Special thanks to Tina Lipscomb, Lee Panec, Debbie Piro, and their team. It was a brilliant event with over 400 people again! Wow! What a way to celebrate our Irish roots—with a traditional Irish meal, band, Irish dancers, Guinness, Irish Whiskey, and amazing fellowship!
Finally on this Passion Sunday, may we commit ourselves to be more than the crowds who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. May we be faithful disciples who follow Him not only in moments of joy and triumph but also through the challenges and sacrifices of living out our faith. May we stand firm in our commitment to Jesus, our Savior, who endured the cross for our sake, and may we carry our own crosses with faith, hope, and love.
Wishing you a blessed Holy Week.
God bless,
Fr. Brendan