Remember just a little over a month ago? We all were riding the emotional roller coaster as we celebrated our New Orleans Saints first visit to the Super Bowl. There was the high of all the pre-game hype and the low of falling behind early to the favored Indianapolis Colts. Then the high of taking the lead; the sky-high of the Tracy Porter interception and then the ultimate victory; the Saints: Super Bowl Champs! What an emotional roller coaster!
We all have them; great days at work that turn sour; vacation plans that don't always work out; a spade of good news followed by bad news and then maybe all is going to be ok news. All of us here today know a little something about emotional roller coaster rides.
How is our spiritual roller coaster ride going? As people of faith, where are we today in our spiritual journey with Jesus.
On this beautiful Palm Sunday we hear not one but two Gospel passages. At the beginning of Mass we hear of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and welcomed by an adoring crowd waving palm branches and singing Hosana. The people are convinced, at least at this moment in time, that Jesus is the King, he has come to save us. But these will be the same people who just a few short days later will cry out, away with him, crucify him. So much have the people turned on Jesus that they demand the release of Barrabas, a convicted criminal and demand Jesus be crucified. Despite the fact that, not once but three times, Pilate declares Jesus not guilty, the crowd persisted. And Pilate concedes.
What an emotional roller coaster; a spiritual ride that has descended to the lowest of lows perhaps. First we welcome Him with adoration and praise; then we demand his demise. Is it not just a little uncomfortable for many of us that during the reading of His Passion today we, as a congregation, proclaim those same horrible words: crucify him, crucify him?
These Gospel passages that we hear on Palm Sunday; events of some 2,000 years ago; how do they play out in 2010. Where on our spiritual and emotional roller coaster do these events find us?
For many, we may be able to relate, if we truly reflect and examine our conscience. For we come forward with our palm branches, we proclaim his praises, we even process in community to receive Him in Holy Communion. And then we leave here; we encounter the world, we encounter the week that confronts us. Do we forget Jesus during the week? Do we go along with the crowd; using foul language or participating in that inappropriate conversation or joke? Do we just simply dismiss our spiritual high point of Sunday on Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, etc.?
We have arrived at Holy Week. We are here on Palm Sunday. We have heard and hopefully prayed with the Scriptures of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His Last Supper, His Passion and His Death.
What will we do with the week ahead? How will our spiritual and emotional roller coaster ride look like this week? Will we avail ourselves of any opportunities for weekly Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday? Will we seek out His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Please take a moment TODAY and read of the additional times for confessions this week and remember the reconcilaition service we all have been invited to Wednesday night at Mary Queen of Peace Parish right down the road. Will we be here Thursday night for the beautiful celebration of the Last Supper and the washing of the Feet? Will we be willing to remain just one hour in Adoration Thursday night from the conclusion of the liturgy to midnight? Will we truly enter into the spirit of Good Friday and make it a day of fasting and penance; not because someone tells us to; but because we offer ourselves in a spirit of repentence? If our work schedule permits, will we be here at 3 p.m. Friday; the very hour of His death and participate in His Passion? And will we be fully prepared for the celebration of great joy and Easter alleluias next weekend?
It is a special week. It will be full of many up's and down's perhaps. Remember how great that roller coaster ride was with the New Orleans Saints? There is something far greater than a Super Bowl championship awaiting us this week. It may be an emotional and spiritual roller coaster ride? Be present for the journey; Jesus is taking us for the ride of our eternal life!
No comments:
Post a Comment