March 28, 2010 Palm Sunday Is. 50:4-7; Phil. 2:6-11; Lk. 22:14-23:56 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings:     http://www.usccb.org/nab/032810a.shtml   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________       The cross is and always has been the primary symbol of the Christian faith.  Regardless of all the sizes and shapes; and regardless of all the colours and commercialization, no other symbol has so captured the imagination of Christians as the cross. For us Christians, no other symbol illustrates what it means to be a Christian and walk the “way of the cross.” No other symbol so clearly illustrates for us the passionate love of God, the height and depth and length and breadth of God’s compassion.   The cross is the singular symbol of the Christian faith. For Christians throughout the centuries, the cross captures the essence of Christianity: the passionate love of God.   It is in the cross that we see the face of God. The cross becomes a window through which we see the face of a loving God. It is only in the cross that we see a love so great that God was willing to die for us. It is only in the cross that we hear the statement, “no greater love is this, than a person is willing to lay down his life for his friend.” There is no greater love than a person is willing to die for another, and the cross states all this.    The suffering of Jesus reminds us that his followers will also walk to many Calvarys. The passion narratives allow us to express abandonment and betrayal and to feel forsaken even by God, but assure us that no one need tread the winepress alone. Jesus’ final words in Mark repeat the beginning of Psalm 22, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” In Luke Jesus dies with the words of another lament on his lips, “Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit” (Ps. 31:6). Arms are stretched out in abandonment, but eyes are raised up in trust. Behold the wood of the cross!   <<   Previous: 5th Sunday of Lent  | Next: Easter Sunday >>   Go Back to SERMONS (Year C)