Dear Friends,
Happy and Blessed Palm Sunday!! Today as we mark our Savior’s exultant entrance into Jerusalem, we know that He goes there to suffer and die for our sake; and then to rise triumphant from the grave. While we pick up blessed palm branches today, we will also listen to the Passion account from Saint Luke, preparing us for this most sacred week.
Pondering our entrance into Holy Week 2022, our hearts and prayers go out to all those suffering so greatly the violent effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We pray for peace, for humanitarian aid, for an end to the violence, for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and possessions. We pray for an unequivocal commitment on the part of all leaders to restrain the evil impulses that lead to war, division, and violence in all its forms and manifestations.
In the darkness of this world, our only sure and certain hope is our Lord Jesus Christ. Although all the forces of darkness came upon Him, He surrendered Himself bringing His light, grace, and power onto them, overcoming them, giving us access to the mercy and love of our heavenly Father. We are not alone in this world, even when in darkness. Jesus is the Victor and remains with us to lead, strengthen, and guide us to His heavenly kingdom.
We are all over extended and busy with the complexities of modern living. But nothing should hold us back, especially this week, from coming to Church, receiving the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, of spending some time in prayer pondering the remarkable grace of mercy we receive from our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Without Jesus we are adrift in the whirlwinds of this world. Holding onto Jesus, embracing Jesus, placing our trust and hope in Him, we are strengthened and guided through all the turbulence, experiencing His peace along the way.
This week may we pray daily these words from Saint Paul found in this weekend’s second reading, “Because of this [Jesus’ humble surrender and obedience], God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Amen.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
