THE PASSION OF OUR LORD Photo Courtesy by G Irma Frakes
Reflections of Holy Week—The Passion of Jesus Christ
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
If Jesus told you, that you would deny him three times, what would you say? I’d be shocked. Would you? Imagine how Peter felt. Stunned. Would you run out weeping like he did?
Today is Palm Sunday and important events will unfold before us once again. Remember, every time we sin, we deny Jesus. Ask yourself, is the frequency more than three? Our journey now follows our Shepard and his final days on earth. His last hours with his apostles. Soon a great sorrowful joy will befall mankind.
As you and I walk with Him, let us ask for the grace to forgive oneself, forgive others and repent all our sins. Ask for a clean heart.
Victory over sin, and death is on the horizon. Fear not and be joyful of the Risen Lord. He is almost here.
Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly. Mk 14:29-31
Monday of Holy Week
Tuesday of Holy Week
Wednesday of Holy Week
Holy Thursday-Evening Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper
Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord
Peter’s denials: 1. Denied being one of Jesus’ disciples.
2. Denied being one of Jesus’ disciples again.
3. Denied being in the garden with Jesus.
The Trial: Pilate could not find guilt in Jesus.
Custom at Passover: one prisoner released-Barnabas freed.
Jesus scourged, beaten, spat on, and humiliated.
Jesus crowned with thorns and clothed in a purple cloak.
Crucify Him! Crucify Him! The crowd shouted.
Jesus carried his cross. Your sins. My sins. The Worlds sins.
Jesus crucified. Five wounds.
Jesus dies. His last breath released for you, me, everyone.
It Is Finished.
Predestined pain and knowledge of bearing the weight of all our sins, Jesus undertook in humble fashion, for he loved so much you, me and everyone else.
Sin is a revolt against God. It is the earthly enemy of all that is holy, an adversary of virtuousness. Treachery and madness, instruments of the people toward internal purity toward one another. Jesus took it all on as mankind decided he was guilty, the insults, assaults on his person from his adversaries. He was the one real victim for us all as humanity refused his merciful love, his agonizing heart and soul cried internally. The Son of God was betrayed by the very people he loved.
We are the Judas’ every time we sin against God. Our human weaknesses failed us and drove the nails into Jesus hands and feet and the lance into his side. How many times have we crucified Jesus? Too many times. Now we walk alongside him toward Mt. Calvary. Scripture fulfilled as he took his last breath for you, me and everyone.
It is now finished.
If you are able, attend a Good Friday service today, or offer an additional act of penance. Add more to your fasting for today.
Read scripture: Jn 18:19-42
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Jn 19:30
“They will look upon him whom they have pierced.” Jn 19:37
Scriptural Stations of the Cross | USCCB
Catholic Prayers: Stations of the Cross [from a Douay-Rheims Bible] (scborromeo.org)
stations-of-the-cross.indd (saintanneshelper.com)
Holy Saturday: The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
One can only imagine how grief stricken the apostles were after they saw Jesus crucified and die on the cross. I’m sure they felt lost. To no longer see Jesus. Lost in their sorrow, they remembered not what He had told them; that on the third day the Son of Man would rise after being handed over to sinners and crucified.
The prophesy fulfilled, a glorious daybreak, the Vigil of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Daybreak, and all that was found were his burial cloths.
Holy Saturday. Do you think just a quiet day? Are you feeling sorrowful like the apostles? We should feel sad. Think about what he endured for you and me.
How will you prepare for Easter morning? I will rise knowing he saved me, a poor sinner, through his suffering and death.
Are you filled with great anticipation? My soul is filled with love and eagerness for Jesus. A day I will proclaim He is Risen.
What kind of hope does Jesus’ Resurrection give you? Eternal Life.
We are almost at the end of our journey, but really, just the beginning. A new day is on the horizon. Let us rejoice and live in Jesus Christ.
Today, meditate throughout the day on the Death of Jesus for your Salvation.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/16 Mk 16:1-7
And, “But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.” Lk 24:12