Our
Lenten journey approaches its closure as we enter Jerusalem. Today Jerusalem
finds herself confronted with a very controversial man. There is something
about Jesus that creates this confusion in the city. He makes people take
sides, and even change sides; from praise to insults, from "Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord," to "Crucify him!" There is
something about Jesus that makes people confront their own deepest selves.
This
week we could ask ourselves some penetrating questions for meditation: How does
it feel to be a disciple of Jesus in Jerusalem; to walk side by side with Jesus
as he is proclaimed liberator? How does it feel as they are laying palms on the
ground in front of you because you are with him? How do we feel being a
confidant of Jesus at the Last Supper? And here's the big one: To identify with
and profess as master, a man arrested, mocked, beaten, and put to death?
There
is no right or wrong answer. A feeling of confidence does not mean one is
spiritually healthy. Remember Peter's confidence, only to deny Jesus that same
night. Sometimes confidence means we haven't taken the issue seriously. Being
ambivalent doesn't necessarily mean being in a bad spiritual space. It could
signify the grace of confronting the cost of discipleship. We may find that our
responses to these questions change daily. But we should stay with it.
Meditation:
Stay with Jesus now. Keep this provocative man near to your heart, and give him
the space to speak to you about the cost of discipleship.
A
reminder about our Triduum schedule…..
Holy
Thursday – Mass at 7:30, washing of the feet, church open for adoration until
midnight
Good
Friday – 1 PM Liturgy for children with the Beginner’s Bible Easter Story
3
PM – Liturgy of the word, reading of the passion, veneration of the cross and
Holy Communion
7:30
PM – Stations of the Cross with Taize music
Holy
Saturday – 10:30 AM - Blessing of the Easter foods
11:15
AM – Altar Server rehearsal for the Easter Vigil
8
PM Easter Vigil followed by a reception for those welcomed into the Church and
our parish
Easter Sunday – Masses at
9:30 AM, 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM (Note the additional Mass on Easter Sunday)
Fr. Phil
