Passion Sunday

Reflection

It’s a sad truism of life that doing what needs to be done seldom coincides with doing what you perhaps would choose to do. Many a morning has had me lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, turning something over and over again in my mind, afraid to get up and face the prospect of actually doing it. If others also feel this way, we may take some comfort in the fact that we have been given gifts beyond our own power to understand. Isaiah writes of the well-trained tongue, the open ear. We may be astounded that what we say can have weight with other people, we might never expect that being a listening presence to someone can lighten their burden. In our fear and uncertainty, we can be strength for others.

The God we worship showcased this strength, strength that comes from weakness, by choosing to experience life in the way we do. By choosing to come down to our level, by choosing to think, feel, experience, and even die in the way that we all do. He humbled Himself, and took the hardships of life upon Himself. If we could get into the mindset of Christ as He rode into Jerusalem, we can imagine that He knew what would soon befall Him, despite the chants and praises of the crowd. He knew the task before Him, the pain that would soon be experienced. In this moment of greatest weakness, and greatest pain, the greatest power would soon shine forth.

Prayer

Loving God, You know us because You became like us. In facing our fears and learning our gifts, help us to become like You.

Fr. Michael R. Carter, S.S.E. ’12, Religious Studies

Scripture

Procession Gospel: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: Mark 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website