Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

I recently rewatched Steel Magnolias. The graveside scene resonated with me. Shelby’s mother, M’Lynn, recounts the moment when life support ended. Shelby’s husband and father could not take it and left while M’Lynn stayed until Shelby took her last breath. M’Lynn received the gift of presence when her daughter came into this world and presence when her daughter left this world. Precious moments and presence, we all experience them.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, ushering in Holy Week. Christians from across the globe will gather, waving palms and shouting out, Hosanna in the highest! We celebrate and commemorate Jesus’ passion and death today through Holy Saturday. Some people may see Holy Week with great sadness, even tragedy; others see this week as the most remarkable love story ever told, commemorated for over 1900 years. I am getting excited just writing about it. I hope you are, too!

We live in a world that would argue, even downplay, or deny this point. The second reading from Saint Paul to the Philippians says it all. Written with conviction, we hear how much Jesus loved us: he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. In the Eucharist, we taste and see and are called to go out and proclaim Paul’s words that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The Cross and the Eucharist are why the events we celebrate this week are the most extraordinary love story ever told.

Will you raise your palms high today, hear and believe the conviction in Saint Paul’s words? Will you place yourself at the foot of the cross with Mary and the other women?

Be present this week and create many precious moments.

Closing Prayer:

Increase the faith of those who place their hope in you, O God, and graciously hear the prayers of those who call on you: bless those who hold high these branches to hail Christ in his triumph, that we may bear fruit by good works in him. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.