UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of our Holy Week journey. The readings for this Palm Sunday speak to us of humility, suffering, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation.
In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we hear of the suffering servant who willingly endures humiliation and persecution for the sake of God's mission. The Psalm echoes these sentiments as the psalmist cries out in pain and abandonment yet expresses unwavering trust in the Lord's deliverance.
In the second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians, we are presented with the hymn of Christ's humility and exaltation. Christ, who was in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbled himself even to the point of death on a cross. Through his obedience and selflessness, Jesus Christ reveals the true nature of God's unconditional love for us, a love that knows no bounds and is willing to suffer and die for our redemption.
In the Gospel, according to St. Mark, we enter the dramatic narrative of Jesus' final days leading up to his crucifixion. We witness his betrayal by Judas, his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, his unjust trial before the Sanhedrin, and his brutal crucifixion on the cross. Despite the abandonment of his disciples and the mockery of the crowds, Jesus remains steadfast in his mission, obedient to the will of the Father, and committed to the salvation of humanity.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ's passion and death. We are called to contemplate the depth of his love for us, a love that is willing to endure suffering and humiliation to bring us back into communion with God.
The passion of Christ challenges us to examine our own lives and to ask ourselves: Are we willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, embrace the cross, and empty ourselves for the sake of others?
Fr. Mike Ume
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