Passion (Palm) Sunday 5 th April 2009

Palms, purple stole, soap, towel, crucifix, oils, altar breads, wine, altar linen, flowers, fire material, Easter eggs….just a few of the items that have been on the agenda here at St Joseph’s lately. Today we will recall the great events that bring us into this wonderful and profoundly important week. There is no week of more significance. It has it all. Triumphant entry into Jerusalem lifts the veil on the events to come. The crowd can’t believe how great this is. Jesus is coming into town but they are at cross purposes. Many thought that this was the moment when a new political dynasty would be established. Jesus had spoken for three years about his death being the gate to redemption and to Risen life. But the message was too frightening and terrifying. It was much more attractive to think about getting rid of the occupying Romans and having a new regime of locally grown leaders. Jesus too wanted a new kingdom to be established but not of this world but rather the Kingdom of God.

The week goes on to Spy Wednesday when the storm clouds gather. Judas falls to the temptation of money and betrayal. Judas, a good man, got a taste for money and believed it would bring him happiness. He came to regret it and couldn’t live with what he had done in betraying Jesus. Who knows what eventually happened as his life ended so tragically? Maybe the face of Jesus turned Judas’ heart to a moment of repentance – I don’t know, but I hope so.

The last supper was both a great moment of joy and the saddest meal ever eaten. A great moment of joy sees Jesus on His knees before a reluctant Peter and one by one he washes coarse and well used feet before gently drying them in a wonderful act of service. What an image of service for us His followers. More was to follow. Bread and wine were forever changed as Jesus declared them His Body and Blood. That night the priesthood was born. With all the failures of priests so highly publicised there have been centuries of service given by good priests who are not afraid to get their hands wet in serving their sisters and brothers.

When the Eucharistic meal is over the sacrifice it symbolises is about to take place. Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane sweats blood from sheer fear. But the love in His heart for us drives Him on to take the huge step up to Calvary. It is a lonely journey for Him. Can you imagine what it was like for His Mother, Mary? Unimaginable what that Mother went through. Yet she stood there at the foot of the Cross and never flinched. For the loss of her son she got us in return. She was so happy to become our Mother. There is never a ‘crucified’ person in any form of difficulty where Mary is not there as she was on Calvary for her child.

The final chapter is the best of all. When the enemies of Jesus had Him well and truly sealed with an enormous boulder in the Tomb and that seemed to be THE END, what happens? At the rising of the sun on Easter morning the Son of God breaks through the shackles of death and tells us never again to look for Him among the dead because HE IS RISEN. You couldn’t make it up. It could only be the plan of a loving God. By death and losing all, Jesus not only arose from the dead but he opened the way for us to come through death and into the light of a new dawn. May this week lead you into the depths of God and may you Rise with Him.

Aidan Troy, C.P. (Aodhán Ó Troighthigh, C.P.)