Making a Joyful Noise through Lent – Palm Sunday 04/13/2014

Making a Joyful Noise through Lent – Palm Sunday - 04/13/2014

“I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)

These words of Pope Francis focus us of the gift of this Holy Week. It is an invitation to once again enter a personal relationship with our God who loved us so much that he gave us his only son. As we journey through Holy Week we relive the crowning moment of Jesus’ journey, his journey of love. Today Jesus enters Jerusalem to take his last steps, steps that sum up his whole existence. He gave himself without reserve he kept nothing for himself, not even his life. May we take Pope Francis’ invitation to heart and live the joy of the Gospel proclaimed today!

As we begin this most holy of weeks, we are reminded of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. This wonderful, “Hosanna” filled day is the starting point for the central story of all the Gospels, Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection. Today, we reconnect ourselves to all those first gatherings of the Church as we listen to Matthew’s accounts of Palm Sunday and the Passion of our Lord. We remember the triumphant ride over the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem and the lonely walk to Calvary. We once again tell the story of triumphant, glory, hosanna, struggle, pain, sorrow, blessing, truth, giftedness, prayer and most importantly love. Like the early Church and all the centuries of Church that have gone before us, we are asked to remember, to believe, to have faith and to hope in the love of God as lived out by our Lord Jesus Christ. As we journey through this Holy Week, “May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ Truly Be Always in Our Hearts!”

Have a beautiful Palm Sunday and don't forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!

Daily Lenten Prayer: At the name of Jesus every knee must bend, in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “...the real purpose of running isn’t to win a race. It’s to test the limits of the human heart.” (Without Limits)

Daily Blessing: A Blessed Palm Sunday everyone! Sorry my reflections are a little late today but it was a busy morning with five masses, five readings of the Passion and five homilies. I hope you have taken a little time to celebrate this holy day and that you have given a little time to God.

We begin the retreat here at Notre Dame tonight and I am looking forward to beginning this journey through Holy Week by celebrating with a wonderful spirit filled community. Please keep the faith community here at Notre Dame Parish in Cedar Knolls, NJ in your prayers and if you have the time could you say a special prayer for their preacher!

I pray in a special way for God’s blessings upon all of you as you journey through this most holy of weeks. May you truly be touch by the unfailing love of God and may the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in your hearts! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul