Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, April 10, 2022
When the hour came,
Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.
~ Luke 22:14
Brothers and Sisters,
The moment God-ordained from the beginning; the very axis creation rests, has finally arrived!
During the wedding at Cana, Mary points out what is lacking, telling her son: “There is no wine.” Jesus’ puzzling response, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” hints at what he already knows. To provide the wine of the new covenant comes with a cost. And Mary affirmed and accepted that this price would impact her – and all of us.
Today, Christ invites us to a new covenant meal where his body and blood become our spiritual food, and like his mother, we should contemplate this sacrificial gift.
Yet, this hour of triumph, where death restored life, is not simply a recollection of the past but an ever-present hour that transcends chronological time—a liturgical declaration of living history that continues to shape our lives past, present, and future.
What response is fitting for such an invitation?
“Amen.”
This simple response expresses so much.
It affirms Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan and her son’s ultimate sacrifice. It acknowledges that Jesus welcomed abandonment, humiliation, torture, and death on a cross so we might share in eternal life. How could we possibly comprehend the weight of such a gift? Perhaps we are not meant to understand as much as we are to acknowledge.
“Amen.”
Reflect with me this Holy Week on the many times we say, “Amen.” Whether alone in personal prayer or said in unison with family and friends at the liturgy of the Eucharist. Either instance, be mindful of this simple word and commit to fully participating in Holy Week.
On Monday, April 11th Archbishop Lori will celebrate the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen at 7:30 pm. Gathered with his auxiliary bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and the faithful of the Archdiocese, he will bless the Oil of the Catechumens and the Sick. Then, the Archbishop will consecrate the Sacred Chrism, by which many will be anointed at Baptism, Confirmed, Ordained as priests this coming year. Along with these blessings, he will offer prayers for those preparing for baptism and the Sacraments and those faithful who are ill. OLPH’s Fr. Anthony, who recently accepted the additional responsibility of Catholic Chaplain for Howard County General Hospital, will be in attendance. Please keep him and his new ministry in your prayers.
Then, we enter the Triduum, the summit of the Liturgical Year —from Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Join us for the Holy Thursday Mass of Lord’s Supper (at 7 pm), the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (3 pm or 7 pm), and the Easter Vigil (Saturday 8:30 pm) or Easter Sunday Masses (7:30 am, 9 am, 11 am in the Church, and 11 am outdoors). During this holiest of days, let us focus our hearts and minds on the Eucharist, the Cross, and the Resurrection mysteries.
Amen!
In the Crucified Lord,
Rev. Michael S. Triplett