Pray for the General Assembly of the Apostolic Oblates
In Mark's jarring Passion story, we witness the anguish of Jesus who has
been totally abandoned by friends and disciples.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, triumphant and victorious is he, humble and
riding on a donkey . . ."
FIRST MYSTERY: When we remember the events of that first Holy Week -
from the upper room to Gethsemane, from Pilate's judgment seat to
Golgotha, from the cross to the empty tomb, Jesus turns our world and
its value system upside down. He teaches us that true authority is found
in dedicated service and generosity to others; greatness is centered in
humility; the just and loving will be exalted by God in God's good time.
SEOND MYSTERY: While Jesus visits Simon the Leper in Bethany on the
eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, an anonymous woman breaks, open
her alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and anoints Jesus' head in
good, royal, biblical fashion (14:3-9). As the fragrance of the oil
fills the room, those with Jesus are shocked at the woman's extravagant
gesture. But Jesus defends her.
THIRD MYSTERY: The woman had performed an act of true fidelity and love,
he tells them, "for she has anticipated anointing my body for burial"
(14:8). For this, Jesus promises, she would be remembered wherever the
Gospel would be preached (14:9). This woman is the only one in all of
the New Testament to be so greatly honored.
FOURTH MYSTERY: What a Savior we have! He truly understands our human
condition. He walks with us and shares our sorrows, loneliness and
suffering. How do we respond to such outlandish love and genuine
solidarity? Passion Sunday invites us to put on what Paul calls the
"attitude of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:6-11) in his passion and
death: to "empty" ourselves of our own interests, fears and needs for
the sake of others. May we reach out to heal those who are hurting and
comfort the despairing around us despite our own denials and betrayals.
FIFTH MYSTERY: Palm Sunday: We are given the special grace to carry on,
with joy and in hope, despite rejection, humiliation and suffering. In
this way, the Passion of Jesus becomes a reason for hope and a moment of
grace for all us as we seek the reign of God in our own lives -- however
lonely and painful that search may be. Holy Week gives us the
consolation and the conviction that we are not alone.
Closing Prayer: O God, once again you invite us to love with the example
of your Son, who renounced violence and brought us peace with His death.
Ours then is the responsibility: we must be the bearers of peace. We
want it, Lord, we promise it to you. May the Virgin of peace help us.
Amen (G. Giaquinta)
The readings for this Sunday are Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark
14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39. For use with RCIA, Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16
The Meditations are adapted from Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, chief
executive officer of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and
Television Network in Canada, is a consultor to the Pontifical Council
for Social Communications. He can be reached at:
rosica@saltandlighttv.org.
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