April 05, 2009 Palm (Passion) Sunday Is. 50:4-7; Phil. 2:6-11; Mk. 14:1-15, 47 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.usccb.org/nab/040509.shtml               ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     One of the most powerful reflections on the meaning of Christ's crucifixion is offered by Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians (2:6-11): He emptied himself, he poured himself out. The love of God was shown on the cross itself, emptying, pouring, flowing completely and abundantly.   Love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, hope, life -- all shared, all poured out, all flowing. It simply never stops. It flows even to this day, even to our hearts, our souls, and our lives. It is a love that sustains, a love that transforms, a love that encourages us even in the face of the troubles, anxieties and questions of our living.   Paul introduced his description of Jesus pouring himself out with a request. "Have this same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus." Somehow the same "mind," the same spirit, the same soul of compassion, love and service that Jesus showed on the cross is to penetrate our minds, our spirits, our souls as well.   The first and foundational reality of Christian faith and life is that we are loved, that God poured out and pours out love to us. Having this mind, this awareness in us changes our lives. It gives us even deeper joy when we experience human love in our families, our friendships and our daily living, and gives us courage and strength when we experience suffering, pain and loss.   It is also an invitation to demonstrate the same pouring out, the same compassion, the same love in the actions of our lives and our living. On Palm Sunday we hear the ultimate story of Christ's mission, his call, his purpose -- all of which was to show the restoring and reconciling love of God. He did it over and over and over again in his mission and ministry, proclaiming good news of that love, inviting everybody into that love (even outcasts and despised folks), healing the sick, casting out demons, breaking down walls of separation, raising the dead. But now, now, was the culmination of this mission of love poured out, to enter Jerusalem and offer everything that he was, to offer every fibre of his heart, soul, and being, to make a complete and supreme sacrifice, to empty himself and pour out that love. This was the moment of complete and clear mission, of call, of purpose for him.     <<   Previous: Fifth Sunday of Lent  | Next: Holy Thursday >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)