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St.
Leonard Catholic Parish
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
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This
Sunday, as Lent draws to a close, we celebrate Palm Sunday. It starts
with the jubilant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and ends with his
arrest, torture, and crucifixion. We all know that Jesus died for the
forgiveness our sins. As we listen to the reading of the Passion this
weekend, I encourage you to take some time to think about who really
caused Jesus to suffer and why.
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God
came into the world in the person of Jesus because humanity had lost
its way. Jesus came to deliver men and women from the evil of sin in
order to unite men and women with God. He did this through His words
and His actions. Jesus was very clear on why He came; to lead
humanity back to the Father. “I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
The
Way that Jesus embodied was based on the principles of love, mercy,
peace, and justice. The Reign of God that Jesus proclaimed called for
a radical transformation both in individuals and society but, because
of sin, humanity rejected it. The Pharisees did not want Jesus curing
the sick on the Sabbath. The crowds did not want to go against
ritualistic taboos and even favoured the criminal Barabbas over
Jesus. Neither the religious leaders (the Sanhedrin) or the secular
leaders (the Romans) wanted to risk a social revolution on behalf of
the poor and disposed. With their rejection of the Way of Jesus and
the Reign of God, His crucifixion was inevitable.
The
reading of the Passion of Christ ends with the body of Jesus being
placed in the tomb. But we all know that is not the end of the story.
Three days later the stone would be rolled back from the tomb and, for
all with eyes to see, the Divine Son of God was definitively
revealed. He defeated death, sin and the devil and showed us the Way
to eternal life.
Jesus
calls on us to follow His example and live a life based on love,
mercy, peace, and justice. Given our society today, this will not
always be easy. There will be times when we need to take up our cross
and persevere through difficulties and suffering to ensure that the
Reign of God lives on and through us. May we follow the example of
Jesus in pacifying hatred with love, evil with good, violence with
kindness, indifference with compassion.
During
the week ahead, reflect on how you can take up your cross and change
the world just like Jesus did. I look forward to seeing you as we
journey together through Holy Week starting with the Mass of the
Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday at 7 PM.
God bless you folks, Father Gerard
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▶ Luke 19:28-40 - Welcomed
with Palms
▶ Isaiah 50:4-7 - Salvation only through the Lord's servant
▶ Philippians 2:6-11 - Jesus, compassionate high priest
▶ Luke 22:14-23-23:56 - The Passion of Jesus
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More
than just a day to poke our siblings with palms and hear the longest
Gospel reading of the year, Palm Sunday is the important beginning of
Holy Week, the most sacred time of the Church's calendar year.
There
are so many figures in the readings this Sunday who reveal our
humanity to ourselves. The loving devotion of Mary, the treachery of
Judas, and the Roman Centurion whose eyes are opened to who Christ
truly is. Peter, the headstrong leader and first pope of the Church,
declared that he was "prepared to go to prison and to die with
you" (Luke 22:33), but then followed "at a distance"
(Luke 22:54) when Jesus was taken away by the soldiers. The crowds
who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem shouting, "Hosanna to the Son
of David!" only a short time later cry, "Crucify him!"
Where
are we in this story? Who do we identify with? How can I
take time to focus on Christ's unwavering love for me at the start of
this holiest of weeks?
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Consider watching this episode on
Jesus' suffering, death, and Resurrection from our series Catholicism 101 with Rachel Bulman with these
questions in mind:
- Do you believe that you would have stood
apart from the crowd in crying for Jesus to be crucified?
Would you have been silent? Would you have joined
them?
- What are the "seven last words" of
Christ?
- Why is the resurrection of Christ so central
to what our faith is about?
"Let us
always remember: the Lord is the Living One, He is merciful!”
Pope Francis
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Capacity
restrictions and mandatory mask wearing rules are no longer called
for in the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. However, given the recent
bump in Covid numbers, we would recommend that all attending Holy
Week services consider wearing a mask for your own personal safety
and that of your neighbour.
Holy Week Celebrations April 14th –
April 17th
Easter
Sunday 9 am, 11 am
- Saturday: 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Saturday
3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
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All
Weekend and Weekday Masses from St. Leonard's will be Livestreamed at
the time that they are scheduled to our YouTube Channel. To visit
this site click here.
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Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon
Bishop
Barron’s Sunday Sermons are now available on Saturday morning. Click
on Bishop Barron’s YouTube channel and then chose the Sunday you wish to view.
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Stewardship
"What can I give back to God
for the blessings he's poured out on me?"
(Psalm
116:12) If you are able to provide financial support to St.
Leonard's, please consider making a donation online or by Interac
e-transfer. You can also mail your envelope to the Church at the
following address: St. Leonard Parish, 5332 Long Island Road,
Manotick, ON, K4M 1E8.
Thank You for Your Financial
Support!
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If
you wish to schedule an appointment with Father Gerard or for any
other administrative requirements please contact the Parish Office by
email (office@stleonardsparis...)
or by phone at (613) 692-4254.
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