Reflection: Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: Mark 14:1-15, 47

Today we hear Mark’s account of Jesus’ passion and death. On Good Friday, the Gospel we will hear is from John’s Gospel. The story is basically the same but each of the authors has a unique perspective of this horrific day. The Passion of Jesus is most likely etched in our hearts and minds!

Most of us will never have to experience what Jesus did. However, we each have had our own version of passion and death experiences. Our death experiences were not what our ultimate death experience will be. However, throughout our lives, there are times when we “die” a bit, and perhaps more than a bit. Perhaps you or a loved one is struggling with illness, divorce, loss of a job, financial problems or the death of a loved one. Or it might be a serious conflict in your family or in the workplace. If you are experiencing emotional pain, most likely loss is an integral part of your pain.

Take a moment and reflect on your life. Remember a time when you experienced a passion or a death? What was that like for you? When you reflect on that time do you re-experience the pain and loss again? What were the emotions that bombarded you? Who supported you? How long did it take for you to recover from that experience? Do you still experience the pain when you remember that time?

Hopefully, much of the pain and emotion of that time has subsided. With time, often there actually may be gifts that you have received from that horrendous experience. Ask yourself: what were the gifts or insights that you received from that time? Perhaps it was something you learned about yourself. Or it may have strengthened your bonds with your family, a friend or even a co-worker. We probably learn more from the painful and challenging situations in life than we do from the good events or situations. However, it can be an excruciating way of learning!

This week we walk with Jesus through the last days of his life. Jesus freely and lovingly gave his life for us. There truly is no greater love! As we journey through this Holy Week, may we ponder the many gifts that Jesus has given us and that he continues to bless us with. What do we give back to Jesus, not because we owe him but rather we give out of love for Jesus? There has never been a greater love!