Palm Sunday  2009

 

Procession

 

Having these palms in our hands and singing praise to God, as we recall his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, has a much deeper meaning than simply remembering and celebrating Jesus as Christ our King.

 

We join him in spirit in his journey to the cross.  Jesus together with his people, with us who profess faith in him, journey’s to his offering on the cross on Calvary, and we are meant to unite ourselves with that offering of Jesus on the Cross, which we do in a very real way in this sacrifice of the Mass.

 

Homily

 

In the preface of the Mass we hear the words:  “For our sake he opened his arms on the cross, he put an end to death and revealed the resurrection.”

 

This gesture of opening his arms on the cross signifies a number of things for our reflection.

 

  1. His arms being nailed to the Cross, speaks so strongly of the torment and suffering he endured for us and reminds us of his great love. 

 

  1. His arms are extended in the Jewish manner of praying, extending one’s arms.  It reminds us how he offered himself for us, praying to his heavenly father, as he gives his life so that we could have forgiveness of our sins and come to eternal life.  The priest at the altar extends his hand in imitation of Jesus on that cross, as we celebrate the memorial of his death.

 

  1. His arms extended in prayer also speaks of our Lord giving thanks and praise to his heavenly father, giving of himself in obedience to his will, for the salvation of all who come to him.

 

  1. His arms are extended to embrace all of us.  He died for us all that we might have life.

 

  1. His arms are extended inviting us to come to his loving merciful arms.  No matter what we have done, his death on that cross has the power to forgive all sins.   Our Lord said a number of times in the gospels, and when I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself, as we will see his great love.

 

One of my favorite stories.  It is said that someone once asked Jesus How much do you love me?”  And Jesus stretched out his arms like this and said: “I love you this much” and then he died.