Matthew 21:9
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!”
This week marks one of the most important times in our Church’s liturgical year. I’m disappointed in myself, because, much like Advent, I find myself in a whirlwind of activity, when I’d rather be moving a little slower, spending time in quiet contemplation. Instead of being at Mass, I’m in the throes of planning a birthday party, preparing for a new baby, and working a LOT!
Reading through today’s readings, (since I’ll be sleeping during Mass tomorrow) I began to tear up. We’ve heard the story of the Passion so many times – sometimes it seems we know it by heart. Even though it’s a familiar story, I always find something new that touches me each time I hear it or read it.
This weekend, this passage stood out to me:
he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.
Take this cup away from me,
but not what I will but what you will.”
It reminds me of the Annunciation, last week, and Mary’s fiat. Even filled with trepidation about what the future held, Mary was resigned to God’s will. Jesus expresses his fear as well, but faithfully follows God’s plan.
Trying to teach your children about Palm Sunday? Bible Zone has a long list of Palm Sunday crafts. My friend Lacey from Catholic Icing has an adorable donkey craft to share, along with many other ways to celebrate this Holy Week with your family.
This is an amazing time for our members coming into the Church during the Easter Vigil. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers. Have a blessed Holy Week!
Looking for more faith filled posts? You’ll find me visiting Soli Deo Gloria,Jump Tandem,Scripture and a Snapshot, Sunday Snippets, Spiritual Sundays, Hear it on Sunday, Playdates with God,Titus 2sday,On Your Heart Tuesday,Domestically Divine Tuesdays,Gratituesday,Word Filled Wednesdays, Walk With Him Wednesdays, iFellowship, Planting Mustard Seeds, and Good Morning Girls.
Palm Sunday and Good Friday mass always remind me of the awakening retreats I attended/staffed while in college. They were my favorite part of the semester and I really miss them!
Not being raised Catholic, I’m not familiar with retreats at all. Maybe that would be a good angle for you to cover 😉
Blessed Holy Week to you!
Non-Catholics go on retreat too 🙂 it just depends. A lot of the retreat stuff I’ve done we actually have “borrowed” from the protestants. But a lot of it just depends on the church/religion/pastor, etc. in what they do. Like when I was in high school all my non-catholic friends went to “church camp” which I would think is kinda like a retreat.
But now you have put a thought into my head hmmm how to write a blog post about retreats…..I could write a book! LOL
Thought-provoking post today. Have a blessed day!
Thanks, Linda!
So glad to have found your site via Deidra. I will be coming into the Catholic church at Easter Vigil next week.
Many prayers for you this week, Megan. Welcome home!!!
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
Good to see you – prayers for a wonderful Holy Week for you, as well!
I, like you, find something new that touches me every year in the Passion reading. This year it was when Jesus cries out, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. I’m not sure why this particular verse calls out to me.
Have a very blessed Holy Week and Easter!
Oh,that is one that makes me sob. Phew.
I think it touches us for the same reason the verse I mentioned does (take this cup) – it reminds us of Jesus’ human nature – that even though He was the Son of God, and part of the Trinity, he still experiences doubt, pain and suffering like we do. There are many times that we are scared to accept God’s will, and times we experience spiritual darkness – wondering why we can’t SEE God in our lives.
Much love and a blessed Holy Week to you, my friend. 😉
I completely agree.
Blessings to you this Holy Week. May you find just a bit of space to breathe…
Thank you, Deidra — it’s quite the struggle for me – my Achilles heel for sure.
Great to see you!
I find myself in a constant struggle with pacing.
How beautiful.
Have a blessed week!
You and me both! Thanks so much for coming by!
One of the blessings of this week and this time of year… people’s hearts can be touched in ways that have been avoided. God did it to me 46 years ago when I was headed for extreme trouble at 20, and He does it to others now… hopefully, my g-kids will also turn their hearts to Him strongly b/c they will know more deeply what He did for them/for me/for us/for the world.
I also end up struggling sometimes with focusing on spiritual life during this week… so much interferences with it, but no choice of doing or not doing. So serving Him this week is still the best life I can ever lead.
I think busy-ness is one of Satan’s ways of separating us from God. It’s a struggle for me, daily.
Thank you for coming by!
Our Holy Week took an unexpected turn when husband was taken to the hospital with chest pains. Still can give thanks for our merciful Father who loves us with an everlasting love and celebrate His coming for us!
Have a precious holy week.
Thank you for the great Palm Sunday resources. I’m trying to decide what we’re going to do on Good Friday after attending services.
Yes, not my will but His will be done in my life. I don’t always understand the magnitude of what that means so I must just trust in Him. Have a blessed Easter holiday.
This is a story that never grows old and touches those who love Him every time they hear it. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte