Enter this holiest of weeks

Today, with the celebration of Palm Sunday, we begin our solemn observance of Holy Week, the week that finds us following in the footsteps of Jesus as he wends His way to the Cross.  The “long” Gospel that we read today at Mass prepares our hearts by laying before us the events that surround the Way of the Cross.  Each Holy Week helps us to re-live our Lord’s Passion – and His Resurrection.  We can never focus on the Passion without anticipating His Resurrection.  May we not be too busy this week to find our way to our parish church to enter into the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter vigil and the solemnity of Easter. Our parish is having a Penance Service on Tuesday. The best way to prepare to receive the blessings of this week is to go to Confession if possible, and experience the merciful love of our Savior.

Pope Francis celebrated the Holy Mass of Palm Sunday today at St. Peter’s in Rome.  Here is a link to his homily which I find so inspiring.  “Do not be men and women of sadness,” the Pope said.  “A Christian can never be sad!  Never give way to discouragement!  Ours is not a joy that comes from having many possessions, but from having encountered a Person:  Jesus Christ!”  http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-never-give-way-to-discouragement  Perhaps you can print out this homily and read it throughout the week.

I pray that if you are not already planning to do so, you will make a way to take part in the Holy Week liturgies.  Go and be prepared to encounter a Person – Jesus – who went through this week because of Love, love for His Father, and love for you and me.