Reflection on Palm Sunday

If I’d have been there,

I’d have been there

The day's readings can be found here.

The colors of the sacred liturgy on Palm Sunday express several realities in our faith.  First, we see the purple of the veils over the images: the color of the last five weeks of our Lenten discipline, symbolizing our “stripping away” of those obstacles that get in the way of Jesus filling our hearts, which culminate in this final week of Lent, Holy Week.  Second, we see the bright red of the vestments, which is the color of blood — the Precious Blood of Jesus that has been shed for love of us.  It is not a pleasant image, but it is proof of His love for us — the kind of love that went to the Cross to redeem us from the reign of sin.  Thirdly, we see the bright green of the palm branches.  In fact, everything around us is starting to turn green with Spring freshness!  It shows the purpose of Lent and the purpose of the Cross: that we might have new life in Christ.

My brothers and sisters, I ask that you make Holy Week a sacred time.  Turn off your television this week, turn off the radio, refrain from doing unnecessary shopping, and pray!  If you are able, please make an effort to go to Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, and Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.  These sacred liturgies, in all their solemnity and grandeur, unite us to saving events that happened 2,000 years ago, and they become present here and now.  

A good priest-friend of mine, Fr. Anthony McLaughlin, used to preach on Palm Sunday, “If I’d have been there, I’d have been there . . . .”  In other words, if I had been present 2,000 years ago, I would not have deserted Jesus like so many of His disciples.  Fr. McLaughlin’s point was that, if this is true, then it would be hypocritical to miss Holy Week liturgies.  If I really would have been there for Jesus, then I should show Him my solidarity with Him by being present to Him at Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil liturgies!