HOLIEST WEEK EVER
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9,17-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14-23:56
Three words that best summarise the holy week: HOLIEST WEEK EVER. People outside the Catholic Church may debate which event in Christendom is the most solemn. But in the Catholic Church, this is not a question. Holy Week says it all. We are spiritually transported to the single most important event in history, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. While creation is beautiful, our redemption from sin, Satan and death is far more glorious, because it unlocks for us God’s special blessing—the fact that we as His children will live and reign with Him forever.
Here are 10 things to keep in mind about the celebration of the Sunday before the Passion week:
It is properly called “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion” because the celebration begins with chants of praise as Jesus enters Jerusalem, but ends with His passion and death at Golgotha.
The first part of the celebration is the “Blessing of the palms.” There is the rite of blessing, the proclamation of the gospel about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and the procession amidst chants of “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:28-40).
The second part is the celebration of the Holy Mass where the story of Jesus’ Passion is read (Luke 22:14-23:56).
The first part of the celebration teaches us that Jesus is truly King of the world, and we ought to celebrate Him with the palm branches of our holy lives.
The second part of the celebration teaches us that while we are quick to praise Jesus with our lips, we betray and condemn Him with our sinful choices. May God have mercy on us.
The Palm branch, which you will wave today, symbolises triumph, peace, and victory, Christ’s victory over sin and death. We claim this victory in Baptism, and we should continue to walk faithfully in it.
Willingly lay down your gifts of time, talent and treasures at the service of people that God places in your path—in serving them, you are serving Christ Himself.
Our relationship with others is a call to self-sacrifice, a lifestyle which flies in the face of our selfish, un-Christian culture. We witness to this culture with our counter-cultural expressions of faith, family life, education, business, leadership (politics), art and entertainment. If we want to influence the world, we must do so in the world ("We are in the world but not of the world", John 17:14-16).
We may have to endure pain in one form or the other from time to time (trauma, turbulent marriage, failed relationships, ill-health, bereavement, unemployment, etc.). You must never bow your head in shame and despair. Rather, unite your sufferings with Christ and carry your Cross gracefully.
Pledge to go through the events of Holy Week and desire to be transformed by the mysteries which unfold before our eyes.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Hosanna to You, Son of David, my Lord and Saviour. I am sorry for the times that I have betrayed you and given a bad example by my words and actions. Help me to be faithful to my baptismal promises and bear witness to you always and everywhere. Amen.
Hosanna to the Son of David. Make my heart holy and my life a living testimony of Your goodness. Amen.
Eternal Father, let my life be a light shining in the darkness of this world. May everyone who encounters me encounter Your blessings, Your peace and Your grace. May I lead many to You and always abound in Your favour. Amen.
Comments