Sunday, March 29th

Scripture

Is 50:4-7
Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
Phil. 2:6-11
Mt 26: 14-27:66

Reflection

“Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God…emptied himself, taking
the form of a slave, coming in human likeness, and found human in
appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him…
Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God…” Phil. 2 excerpts

Palm Sunday uniquely features two Gospel readings, one for the joyful procession of palms into Jerusalem, and a longer gospel detailing the somber passion of Christ. The Greek word kerygma, resurfaced with Vatican II reminding us of the core Gospel proclamation of Christ’s saving work. Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel, formulated it with these simple words: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free you. “

Our Philippians passage brilliantly connects Jesus’ self-emptying in the kenosis of Incarnation, with his total outpouring in passion and death, and with the surprisingly inevitability of Resurrection. In The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr reminds us that “the Risen Christ is not a one-time miracle, but the revelation of a universal pattern that is hard to see in the short run…Love is the energy that sustains the universe, moving us toward a future of resurrection.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of History, you show us the direction and
meaning of the human journey. May my faith increase in the belief
that creation is going somewhere and going somewhere good.
May my actions bring hope.

Personal Challenge

I will find a quiet moment to listen to the hymn “At the Name of
Jesus” and offer praise and thanks to God.

Sister Cynthia Sabathier
Baton Rouge, LA