Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019

Need a new life?  God accepts trade-ins.

The sixth and last Sunday of Lent marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.  Go to mass and get a palm. Put it on your bedroom wall to remind you of Jesus.

The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday following Palm Sunday are another traditional time of cleaning. Just as the house is cleaned during Advent in preparation for Christmas, and just as Shrovetide is spent cleaning in preparation for Lent, these days are spent in preparation of the greatest Feast of the Church year: the Feast of Easter. By Wednesday night, the house should be spotless so that the days of the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) can be devoted to Christ's Passion.

Scripture ...
Luke 23:26-31

Reflections ...

Today is Palm Sunday. We remember the great crowds of Jewish pilgrims who filled the streets of Jerusalem and cheered Jesus as their victorious King. Now, barely five days later, they line the streets to jeer and heckle Him on His way to execution.

Jesus is too weak and weary to carry the crossbeam to the place of execution. He tries with all His might, but keeps falling beneath it. The flogging and the beatings have taken their toll. Finally, the Roman soldiers enlist a man named Simon to carry it for Him.

But not everyone in the crowd taunts Jesus. Many still believe in Him, and are greatly perplexed and grief-stricken to see Him going to His death. In shock and horror they mourn and lament for Him.

Jesus could have joined them in self-pity, but instead He turns aside their weeping and lamenting. He warns of the future when they and their children will suffer at the hands of the Romans because the Jewish leaders will not humble themselves, confess their sins, and believe He is their Savior.

As we enter this Holy Week and remember Jesus’ sufferings and passion, He doesn’t want us weeping for Him. He wants us to weep for ourselves—for our sins—just as Peter did when the rooster crowed, and he saw Jesus’ face. We are to weep for our sins that deserve God’s judgment, then look in faith to Jesus’ cross where that payment was made in full. There we see God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, You carried my sins to that place of execution, a load I could never carry. At the foot of Your cross help me see my sin rightly, and turn from it in bitter tears, that I may find in You full forgiveness and peace. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …

Saying “I Love You Jesus” outside of a prayer, infact repeat it on the hour, yes you can even put an alarm for every hour during the day as a reminder to say the words.  Imagine the joy on Jesus’ face when he will be remembered lovingly every hour today.

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 23 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQbH-NxjEhY