Passion Sunday

Passion Sunday, aka Palm Sunday, is one of the most intense liturgies of the year. Its elements smell of the co-mingling of new and old. The weather is getting warmer; sandals begin to make their appearance in Mass (be that good or bad). The trees begin to bud as we wait this one last week to remember our Saviour dying on a tree. Wilted, drying palms will go home to join the ranks of those from years past, tucked behind picture frames and tacked to window sills.

The priest blesses these palms with water on a day that is both happy and sad. The first reading, a Gospel read before the Entrance Hymn, speaks of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people who paid homage on that day screamed, "Crucify Him!" just 5 short days later. We read about that in a Gospel that prods us, the congregation, the "chorus" to shout "Crucify Him!" in place of those Jews of old who said it first 2000 years ago.

I was once the confirmation sponsor for a gentlemen whom I found quite fetching. I loved him and his holiness that brimmed in his eyes and danced in his soul. He worked hard for the Lord (and, as far as I know, still does). That first Easter after his entry into the Church, he announced that he refused to say, "Crucify Him," with the rest of us during Palm Sunday and Good Friday, as prompted by the Church herself. I remember being a little bit horrified. Just exactly who did this guy think he was, anyway?

Do you hate to say, "Crucify Him?" If so, you are not alone.

We say it because it was OUR sins that crucified Him. Caiphas and Pilate are just a top-layer of bad guys; the spiritual reality is that Jesus died for our sins. If you don't want to have to say Crucify Him, then think very hard about how your actions say it. Not a day will ever pass for any of us that we don't drive the nails into His hands by our disregard for the poor, by our gangrenous gossip, our lack of love for those entrusted to our attention and care (or, insert your pet sin[s] here). Any moment we don't love fully and completely, we contribute to His suffering all those centuries ago.

The Church's wisdom is reflected in giving us a part in the liturgy by having us recite this macabre chant. "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Does it make you uncomfortable? If it does, the words are doing their job. If it doesn't, then maybe, just maybe, you're not doing yours.

A final note: Your sins and mine required the perfect God-man to offer (as priest) Himself (as victim) in a sacrifice so perfect and eternal that all our sins are washed away. He gave Himself to Father God on the cross; He gives His Divine Mercy to us in a special way on Mercy Sunday. Even as we dwell on our sins, let's throw ourselves into the vast, deep ocean of His Perfect Mercy. Mercy Sunday is celebrated every year on the Sunday after Easter. The best way to prepare to receive His great mercy is through the Divine Mercy Novena. It starts on Good Friday and ends on Mercy Sunday. (Bonus: Proper completion grants us a plenary indulgence!)

The Novena is described here: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/novena.htm

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is here: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm

More info on the indulgence is here: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/indulgence.htm

Let us praise God for His infinite Mercy!
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory!