This Week's Homily

Passion (Palm Sunday)

At the Feet of Jesus…Grace-filled Lives

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Holy Week has begun. Recalling as we have the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and then the drama of his sacred Passion and Death, a true disciple cannot remain a mere bystander or passive observer. St. Andrew of Crete urges us:

“Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish…So let us spread before his feet, not garments or soulless olive branches which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed with his grace, or rather, clothed completely in him…Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join today in the children’s holy song: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

I encourage you to take part in the various liturgies of this week, particularly those of the Sacred Triduum…that are so moving and rich in their prayer and instruction.