PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION - 2022

 

PALM SUNDAY 2022

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Christ was humbler yet,
even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name which is above all names. PH 2:8-9

ISAIAH 50:4-7 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Every Christian martyr was and is a disciple par excellence. The prophet gives us a detailed description of one who has imbibed the teachings of the Lord and allows God's Word to shape every aspect of their lives.

A true disciple is one who walks the Way of the Cross every moment of every day. Every word that is uttered is one that brings healing, comfort, solace, and peace. A disciple is one who wakes up with Your Name, does everything in Your Name, and lies down to rest at night with Your Name. If we desire to be Your true disciples, Beloved, we must be wrapped up in Your Name and allow its power to imbue every cell in our body.

A disciple learns obedience and humility from close proximity to You, Your Word, and Your Church. He or she is sensitive to every nudge of the Holy Spirit and responds in a manner that is always pleasing to You.

Too often our pride, our ego, and our self-love get in the way of humility and when we are unable to stoop low we are unable to obey.

However, when we are yoked to You, Lord, then we are united with You and we will find the strength with gentleness just as You did. We will find the courage to offer no resistance to those who oppose the Gospel for our gaze will be fixed on the You and we will be able to imitate You even to our last breath.

 

PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Self-emptying is something we must do often. Our sins, weaknesses, and frailties are constantly jogging each other for pride of place. Unless we come face to face with our brokenness we will never be able to follow You with the singleness of purpose to which we, as Your disciples are called. 

As God, the only Son of the Father, You emptied Yourself for the sake of love. Love for Your Father and love for us. Love alone makes all things possible but the kind of love that we are required to possess is the kind that makes humility and obedience a joy. It is the love that the Triune God shares - agape love.

If we never forget especially when it is most difficult, that God became Man for our sakes in order to take restore all that we had lost and to take us back to the Father, then we will exercise the twin virtues of humility and obedience for without them it is impossible to please God.

Thank You, Father, for giving us Jesus as our Model. With Him, no matter how narrow the way or how difficult the path we will find the strength to endure all for His sake.