Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday April 10, 2022
Isaiah 50, 4-7; Philippians 2, 6-11; Luke 22, 14 - 23, 56
It is said that during the First World War, in American
towns any household that had given a son to the war was entitled to place a
star on the window pane.
A certain man was walking down a certain avenue in New York,
accompanied by his little boy. The lad became very interested in the lighted
windows of the houses, and clapped his hands whenever he saw a star at the
window pane of the houses.
As they passed house after house, he would say: "Oh,
look, daddy, there's another house that has given a son to the war!
And there's another! There's one with two stars! And look,
there's a house with no star at all!"
After quite some time, they came to a some vacant places
where there were no houses. However, in the vast expanse, the evening star was
seen shining brightly in the sky.
The little fellow caught his breath and with an excited
exclaim said: "Oh, look, Daddy," he cried, "God must have given
His Son, for He has got a Star in His window."
“He has indeed!' said Daddy!
The Holy Week is all about a call to reflect God’s love in
Jesus. Yes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(Jn 3:16).
In this passion narrative, we see the unfathomable love of
God for us human persons shown in his beloved son Jesus. When we see the
crucifix we see the Son of God nailed hands and feet to that cross, slowly shedding
his blood for us.
This week let us welcome Jesus into our lives and ask Him to
allow us a share in His suffering, death, and Resurrection. This is the time of
the year when we stop to remember and relive the events which brought about our
redemption and salvation. The Holy Week liturgies present us with the actual
events of the dying and rising of Jesus.
In particular, today’s liturgy combines two moments seen in
contrast: one of glory, — the welcome of Jesus into Jerusalem — the other of
suffering: the drama of his trial which ends in his condemnation, crucifixion,
and death. Let us rejoice and sing as Jesus comes into our life today.
The first reading is from prophet Isaiah. According to the
prophet, the servant was probably a figure for the people of Israel, or for a
faithful remnant within the people. The Song portrayed the antithesis of
Israel’s messianic expectations, because Israel expected a triumphant Messiah
while the prophet foresaw a “suffering servant” Messiah. Jesus saw aspects of
his own life and mission foreshadowed in the Servant Songs, and the Church
refers to them in this time of solemn meditation on the climax of Jesus’
earthly life.
Let us also weep and mourn as his death confronts us with
our sin. The African-American song asks the question, “Were you there when they
crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree?” The answer
is yes, a definite yes. Yes, we were there in the crowd on both days, shouting,
“Hosanna!” and later “Crucify Him!”
Wish you all a fruitful Holy Week
Wish you too a blessed holy week Fr. Anush🙏🙏🙏
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