Loved Into Silence

Greetings on this the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Readings: Lk 19:28-40; Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:14—23:56
Notes:

Reading Structure of Lent into Easter Sunday:

• The season of Lent starts with identical reading for Ash Wednesday in all three reading cycle years A, B, and C.
• 1st and 2nd Sundays of Lent – cover the same event but from the perspective of one of the three Synoptic Gospels. Same event, different perspectives.
• 3rd and 4th Sundays of Lent – cover different events between the three Cycles A, B and C.

Palm Sunday begins the reverse.

• Palm Sunday cover the same event but from the perspective of one of the three Synoptic Gospels. Same event, different perspectives.
• Chrism Mass – identical reading. This Mass focuses on the office/role of the Bishop, the sacred oils of Christian Initiation/Ordination and the order of the Presbyterate.
• Mass of the Lord’s Supper – identical reading.
• Good Friday – identical reading.
• Easter Vigil – cover the same event but from the perspective of one of the three Synoptic Gospels. Same event, different perspectives.
• Easter Sunday – on this day the pastor can select either the readings from the gospel of John (“same”) or from the perspective of one of the three Synoptic Gospels. Same event, different perspectives.

• Palm Sunday liturgy begins with the Procession into Jerusalem.
• Palm Sunday is a synopsis of the Passion of Christ – the entirety up the burial of the Lord.
• Deeper Detail in the Triduum:
  • Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Institution of the Holy Mass, Eucharist, Priesthood and Servant Leadership (washing of the feet) and a Procession/Exposition/Adoration.
  • Friday – Good Friday, the passion event particular. Veneration of the Cross, Priest and Deacon prostrate before the Lord. Solemn Intercessions. Holy Communion.
  • Holy Saturday – the great silence then the silence is broken.
  • Easter Vigil. Christian Initiation of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.

Procession
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest.”

First reading
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Second reading
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Verse Before the Gospel
Christ became obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Gospel Portion

The Reading of the Passion

PDF of Passion Reading: https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/passion-of-the-lord-luke-gospel-speaking-parts-palm-sunday-4-10-22.pdf

Loved into silence.
We depart this liturgy entering the Holy Week.

Love itself has become silent.
Our love response has become silent.

That we might finally hear the voice of God.

Wind, earthquake and fire then…

a light silent sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, Why are you here, Elijah? (1 Kg 19:12b-13).

The Week Ahead:

• Chrism Mass – This Mass focuses on the office/role of the Bishop, the sacred oils of Christian Initiation/Ordination and the order of the Presbyterate.
• Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Institution of the Holy Mass, Eucharist, Priesthood and Servant Leadership (washing of the feet) and a Procession/Exposition/Adoration. Silence.
• Friday – Good Friday, the passion. Veneration of the Cross, Priest and Deacon prostrate before the Lord. Solemn Intercessions. Holy Communion. Silence.
• Holy Saturday – the great silence then the silence is broken. Silence.

Lukan Palm Sunday:

• Conspiracy against Jesus
• Last Supper
• Transubstantiation
• Betrayal / Disciple / Denial
• Instructions in Crisis
• Agony / Arrest
• Trial / Barabbas
• Way of the Cross
• Crucifixion / Death / Burial

Unifying theme of Palm Sunday readings:

• Betrayal and Denial of Men by Men.
• Passion of the Lord (self giving).
• Ways of Man (Trial and Judgment).
• Way of Cross (Redemption).
• Transubstantiation – Total gift of God.
• Crucifixion – Total sin propitiation.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry