— which is translated Place of the Skull —
They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,
but he did not take it.
Then they crucified him and divided his garments
by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him.
John 15:22-25
This Sunday is Passion Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday, and it is the beginning of Holy Week. Each year it always amazes me how we start off our liturgy waving palm branches and singing Hosanna as we remember Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, but by the end of the Gospel, we're in mourning as we read of the Crucifixion. How quickly we go from exaltation to what appears to be despair. Of course we know the rest of the story, but the liturgy always affects me deeply.
My favorite time of the liturgical year is the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. They are actually one long celebration, we begin Mass on Holy Thursday in the normal way, but there is no end, no final blessing and dismissal; on Good Friday, there is neither an opening or closing at that service; and the Easter Vigil doesn't have an entrance either, but it does conclude with a final blessing and dismissal. All three of those days flow together. Each is so distinct, but yet united.
As you walk through this Holy Week, contemplate the way of the Cross. Below are some reflection questions I've found during Lent and provide a great meditation.
The condemnation of Jesus: Have you ever been judged unfairly? Have you ever put yourself in a position of judging others?
Jesus' acceptance of the cross: Are there people, situations or events in your life that are a burden to you? How have you accepted these crosses?
Jesus falls three times: In what ways have you fallen? How have you picked yourself up again?
Jesus encounters his mother: Think about your relationship with your parents – whether they are living or deceased. Are there misunderstandings, painful memories or regrets that need to be healed?
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus: Who are the people who have helped you carry the crosses in your life?
Veronica wipes Jesus' face: Who are the people who were kind to you during difficult times in your life?
Jesus encounters the women of Jerusalem: Who are the people that you have consoled in their time of worry, fear, or grief?
Jesus is stripped of his garments: How are you being called to let go of external things in your life?
The crucifixion: How are dealing with pain in your life? Are you able to forgive those who have hurt you?
The death and burial of Jesus: What things in your life have to die and be buried before they can be resurrected into new life? Do you really believe that the Risen Christ will renew you? Do you really believe that by following Jesus you can be transformed?
I tried to copy/paste these to a word document so I can 'walk with them' this week. They are both an examination of my life and a way to focus on what this Holy Week journey can teach us if we open our hearts. This is good. My job - these 6 days that remain is to have the courage to look at the 2 or 3 in the list that are issues I know I avoid. I admit, though, sometimes, you just have to 'take yourself in hand'.
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