EMBRACING THE WAY OF THE CROSS

This weekend liturgies ushers us into the most solemn period in our Lenten season starting with Palm Sunday; the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on one hand and his passion on the other hand. To understand the deeper meaning of this liturgy we are encouraged to see it through the light of a bird needing two feathers in order to fly. The kingship of Jesus is marked with fanfare as he enters Jerusalem and also his passion, death and resurrection that pay the price for humanity’s sins thus setting us free for God. His triumphant entry into Jerusalem leads to death. He died, not for the righteous, but for sinners. He did this because of love. Let us learn also to live a life of service in our community.

St. Augustine says, "The Lord's passion is our salvation." Jesus' obedience brings redemption, showing God's love in the face of suffering.

In His passion, Jesus embodies the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. "He was wounded for our transgressions" (Isaiah 53:5). St. Thomas Aquinas notes, "Christ's passion is the cause of our salvation."

Pope Francis reminds us, "God's mercy is revealed in the crucified Jesus." The cross is where mercy and love meet humanity's sin.

St. Irenaeus writes, "Christ recapitulated human disobedience in His obedience." Jesus' 'yes' to God reverses Adam's 'no'.

St. John Chrysostom says, "The cross is the key to paradise." Through Jesus' obedience, we receive forgiveness and new life.

Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Like Simon Peter, may we confess, "You are the Christ." Embracing the way of the cross leads to life.

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. In that beautiful liturgy, He ordained the first priests, Instituted the Eucharist (His body and Blood) as food for pilgrims (all of us) on our journey to heaven and Washing of feet which is a symbol of service to brothers and sisters.

On Good Friday he paid the price of laying down his life in obedience to the will of His Father for the salvation of humanity.

On Holy Saturday God the father said that enough of this injustice on Jesus, hence He raised Jesus from the dead.

Dear friends as we enter the week that revolutionized the world starting with Palm Sunday, we are called to reflect on the values Jesus championed so that we may walk in his footsteps in the circumstances of our own lives. His death, on the outside, is simply brutal violence- the crucifixion. From within, it becomes an act of total self-giving love. Thus, Good Friday is not nearly as bad as it looks from the outside and Easter Sunday is much better than we can ever imagine.

Prayer; Lord, help us follow You on the way of the cross, trusting in Your love and mercy. Amen